In an unexpected twist, Chinese office worker Qin Meng has tapped into a lucrative side hustle: becoming a booking agent for divorce applications. Rising before midnight, she navigates the government website to secure slots for her clients, who are often left frustrated after waiting months.

For just 400 yuan (about $56), Qin saves couples time and stress, ensuring they don’t miss out on the limited daily slots. "Miss it by seconds and they're gone in a blink," she warns.

The Rising Wave of Divorces in China

Demographers link the surge in divorce proceedings to China's sluggish economy, claiming it's putting significant financial strain on marriages. While the exact numbers for 2024 are yet to be announced, Yi Fuxian, a demographer from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, forecasts a divorce rate of 2.6 per 1,000 people, an uptick from the pandemic's low of 2.0.

In contrast, Japan and South Korea report much lower rates of 1.5 and 1.8, respectively. Yi emphasizes the relationship between poverty and marriage stability, warning that climbing divorce rates could further exacerbate China’s demographic challenges.

Economic Pressures Fueling Divorce

Despite an economy expanding at about 5% annually, rising job insecurity and the ongoing property crisis have made families more financially cautious. With a competitive export market faltering under US tariffs, job cuts and stagnant wages are becoming commonplace.

A tragic incident last year—a driver who killed 35 people in a fit of rage over a divorce settlement—shone a spotlight on the mental and financial toll of divorces amid these pressures. The perpetrator was sentenced to death.

Divorce Rates: The Stark Contrast

Data reveals a clear divide in divorce rates: wealthier coastal regions report lower figures compared to impoverished inner and northern areas. Zhou Minghui, a 38-year-old educator, experienced this firsthand. She finally secured her divorce appointment after five tries, motivated by her ex-husband's devastating financial mismanagement, which left them deep in debt.

A Temporary COVID Anomaly?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unusual dip in divorce rates due to shutdowns and a new mandatory 30-day cool-off period for couples seeking amicable divorces. Now, with demand for divorce appointments skyrocketing, agents like Qin have stepped in—charging anywhere from 50 to 999 yuan.

Since starting her side gig in March, Qin has already earned nearly half her monthly salary, with her service request numbers climbing. "The economy is not great, so there's more pressure at work and more conflicts at home," she says, predicting that divorce rates are set to continue their rise.