The practice of drafting wills in China is increasingly being adopted by younger individuals and single adults, signaling a shift from traditional perceptions of wills as instruments reserved for the elderly. A recent report by the China Will Registration Center, released by the China Ageing Development Foundation, highlights this emerging trend driven by the country’s aging population and evolving family dynamics.

Over the past 13 years, the center has offered consultations to more than 675,000 people and securely stored upwards of 404,000 wills. While seniors aged 60 to 70 still represent the majority of testators—making up 53 percent in 2025—the average age of will-makers has declined, with a notable rise among those under 60. The fastest growth has been observed in individuals aged 30 to 39, whose motivations include safeguarding assets and preventing property disputes, especially amid concerns over family instability such as divorce.

Younger generations are broadening the scope of their assets in wills to include digital properties alongside traditional holdings like savings and real estate. The report details how virtual assets—such as high-value gaming accounts, income from livestreaming, and social media memorial content—are increasingly being named with specific heirs and distribution instructions. For instance, a 22-year-old testator left his salary savings and a gaming account to his elder sister, acknowledging both her care and the growing legal recognition of digital property rights.

The registration center has established standards to facilitate the smooth transfer of virtual assets, underscoring the legal validation of these digital forms of wealth. These developments coincide with a concentration of younger testators in major economic regions. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong province together account for around 80 percent of middle-aged and young will registrants.

Digital will services, particularly those accessed via platforms like WeChat, are also gaining popularity. Primarily used by individuals aged 20 to 29, these digital documents serve dual purposes as wealth management tools and emotional channels for expressing final messages to loved ones.

The data also indicate a significant increase in will drafting among single individuals living alone. The number of unmarried registrants rose sharply from 101 in 2017 to 616 in 2025, with those under 60 constituting 87 percent of this group. Women make up nearly 70 percent of these testators, frequently citing the desire to provide care for aging parents as a key motivation.

Experts attribute these patterns to broader social transformations and diversifying family structures. Long Yifei, a law professor specializing in marriage and family affairs, explained that wills are evolving beyond mere property distribution tools. They increasingly serve to formalize family relationships and mitigate emotional and financial risks. The prominence of women in renewed, divorced, and single categories reflects growing awareness of female autonomy and rights protection amid shifting societal norms.