吓人，相亲市场里，男性集体“消失”了！

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant gender imbalance in the matchmaking market, highlighting that women have become the dominant participants while men appear to be increasingly absent, leading to a severe supply-demand mismatch in the dating scene [4][5][6]. Group 1: Gender Imbalance in Matchmaking - In cities like Chengdu, the male-to-female ratio in the matchmaking market is as high as 1:43, with Hangzhou at 1:40 and Nanchang at 1:36, indicating that on average, 40 women are competing for one man [5][6]. - A matchmaking event in Guangzhou required women to pay an entry fee of 500 yuan, while men entered for free, further illustrating the disparity [8][9]. - Online dating platforms show that 80% of registered users are women, indicating a shift in the traditional gender roles in the dating market [12][13]. Group 2: Reasons for Men's Absence - The article identifies three main reasons for men's withdrawal from the dating market: 1. The financial burden placed on men by dating platforms, which often charge men for premium services while offering women free access [17][18]. 2. The influence of social media and self-media, where many female influencers set high expectations for male partners, leading to increased pressure on men [21][22]. 3. The rising costs associated with marriage, including exorbitant bride prices, which have surged from 80,000 yuan in 2010 to 680,000 yuan recently in some regions [28]. Group 3: Economic Pressures and Changing Attitudes - Economic pressures are a significant factor driving young people away from marriage, with the number of marriage registrations dropping from 13.47 million in 2013 to 6.1 million in 2024, effectively halving [39][40]. - The article notes that 78% of young people consider stable employment as a core requirement for marriage, surpassing other financial criteria [30]. - The rising costs of marriage and the perception of marriage as a financial risk have led to a shift in attitudes, with some individuals opting to invest in financial assets rather than marriage [34][35]. Group 4: Government Response and Future Outlook - The government has begun to address the declining marriage rates by relaxing marriage requirements, eliminating marriage fees, and implementing measures to reduce bride prices [41][42]. - The article emphasizes the need for a cultural shift to rebuild trust in marriage, suggesting that marriage should be viewed as a partnership rather than a financial transaction [44][46].