Gender and the rural–urban divide: family wealth and first marriage among young adults in China.

This article examines how family wealth influences the timing of first marriage among young adults aged 16–40 in China, considering variations by gender and hukou status—the household registration system distinguishing rural and urban residents. Using longitudinal data from six waves of the China Family Panel Studies (2010–2020), the study finds that higher household total asset value is positively associated with first marriage for rural men and women and urban men, with major assets like home and car ownership particularly predictive for men's marriage. Conversely, household savings are more strongly linked to rural women's first marriage, reflecting gendered marriage practices where the groom's family typically provides substantial assets while the bride's family contributes dowries or savings. The research highlights that these gendered and rural–urban differences in family wealth's role in marriage contribute to persistent gender inequality and suggest that family wealth inequality is a significant factor shaping marriage patterns and social stratification in contemporary China.