With the development of the economy, culture and public health, the mortality rate of Shaanxi declined quickly, especially the infant mortality rate. Female mortality is lower than that of males. Urban mortality declined more rapidly than that of rural areas. In 1958, the life expectancy of Shaanxi was 53 years, and it rose to 67.9 for males and 72.21 for females in 1990, according to the fourth national census. Early marriage and having more children are more popular in rural than in urban areas.
Rural males face more difficulties in getting married.
The average family size in Shaanxi was above the national level. In 1997, the former was 3.88 while the latter was 3.64. Also, the size of the average family household has been decreasing. The family size of cities and counties was smaller than that of rural areas. The families were mainly in two-generation structures and families of one couple were increasing gradually.