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| China faces growing sex imbalance | China faces growing sex imbalance |
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| More than 24 million Chinese men of marrying age could find themselves without spouses by 2020, says the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. | More than 24 million Chinese men of marrying age could find themselves without spouses by 2020, says the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. |
| The gender imbalance among newborns is the most serious demographic problem for the country's population of 1.3 billion, says the academy. | The gender imbalance among newborns is the most serious demographic problem for the country's population of 1.3 billion, says the academy. |
| It cites sex-specific abortions as a major factor, due to China's traditional bias towards male children. | It cites sex-specific abortions as a major factor, due to China's traditional bias towards male children. |
| The academy says gender selection abortions are "extremely common". | The academy says gender selection abortions are "extremely common". |
| This is especially true in rural areas, and ultra-sound scans, first introduced in the late 1980s, have increased the practice. | This is especially true in rural areas, and ultra-sound scans, first introduced in the late 1980s, have increased the practice. |
| Forced prostitution | Forced prostitution |
| The latest figures show that for every 100 girls born in China, 119 boys are born, the academy says in a new book. | The latest figures show that for every 100 girls born in China, 119 boys are born, the academy says in a new book. |
| Researcher Wang Guangzhou, quoted by the Global Times newspaper, said the implications were that men in poorer parts of China may remain single throughout their life. | Researcher Wang Guangzhou, quoted by the Global Times newspaper, said the implications were that men in poorer parts of China may remain single throughout their life. |
| CHINA'S GENDER IMBALANCE 119 boys born per 100 girls. Rises to 130 boys per 100 girls in some rural areasTotal population 1.3 billionExpected peak 1.6 billion in 2050One child policy written into constitution in 1978Many rural couples allowed second child if first is a girl | CHINA'S GENDER IMBALANCE 119 boys born per 100 girls. Rises to 130 boys per 100 girls in some rural areasTotal population 1.3 billionExpected peak 1.6 billion in 2050One child policy written into constitution in 1978Many rural couples allowed second child if first is a girl |
| "The chance of getting married will be rare if a man is more than 40-years-old in the countryside. They will be more dependent on social security as they age and have fewer household resources to rely on," he said. | "The chance of getting married will be rare if a man is more than 40-years-old in the countryside. They will be more dependent on social security as they age and have fewer household resources to rely on," he said. |
| In some provinces, 130 boys are born for each 100 girls, the book says. | In some provinces, 130 boys are born for each 100 girls, the book says. |
| Experts at the academy also predict the gender imbalance will lead to more inter-generational marriages, where a wife is older than her husband. | Experts at the academy also predict the gender imbalance will lead to more inter-generational marriages, where a wife is older than her husband. |
| A reluctance among young urban Chinese to have a first or second child is exacerbating the problem. | A reluctance among young urban Chinese to have a first or second child is exacerbating the problem. |
| Academy sociologist Yan Hua said: "People's minds have changed a lot during the last 20 years. | Academy sociologist Yan Hua said: "People's minds have changed a lot during the last 20 years. |
| "Young couples either don't want to have a second child, or would prefer to live a DINK (Double Income No Kid) life." | "Young couples either don't want to have a second child, or would prefer to live a DINK (Double Income No Kid) life." |
| The growing imbalance means that forced prostitution and human trafficking has become "rampant" in some parts of the country, according to the researchers. | The growing imbalance means that forced prostitution and human trafficking has become "rampant" in some parts of the country, according to the researchers. |
| While analysts admit there is definitely a pronounced gender imbalance in China, they also say that exact information is difficult to obtain because some families are thought to avoid registering female babies in order to make it easier for them to have a second child. | While analysts admit there is definitely a pronounced gender imbalance in China, they also say that exact information is difficult to obtain because some families are thought to avoid registering female babies in order to make it easier for them to have a second child. |