Why has the divorce rate in China increased in recent

years?

--Luo Shaowen

Divorce rate increases

0.7%

4.75%

1.8%

1.38%

1

5

4

3

2

1985 1990 1995 2000

Outline:

Benefit of Marriage Reason of low divorce rate The reason of divorce rate increase

Thesis statement:

The reduction of gender difference and divorce cost causes the increase of divorce rate in China

Advantage of Family

Maximize utility

Gender Differences Comparative Advantages

Mar

ket G

oods

Home Goods

Household Division of LaborM

arke

t Goo

ds

Home Goods

Women participate less labor forceHusband: power of purse

Why divorce rate is low before?

The wife is economic dependent & The influence of Confucianism

The wife loses more after divorce

The wife has pressure to subordinate her family

Something changed

Educational attainment

Labor market experience

Market discrimination

WOMEN

Percentage of Females with Secondary Education by Year of Birth: China

Figure retrieved from: The Rise in Female Education in China: National and Regional Patterns. The China Quarterly

Female

Male

Percentage at primary educational level, by birth year and sexFemale also have the opportunity to study

Figure retrieved from: The Rise in Female Education in China: National and Regional Patterns. The China Quarterly

Labor market participation

Figure retrieved from:

Changes in the Distribution of Male and Female – Wages Accounting for Employment Composition

Equally ProductiveM

arke

t Goo

ds

Home Goods

Benefit of marriageFemale are more economic independent

The Cost For Divorce Decreases

The Simplification of Divorce Procedures

Less Moral Censure

Benefit of marriage

Cost of divorce

Divorce rate

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