High sex ratios in China's future

Science. 1995 Feb 10;267(5199):874-6. doi: 10.1126/science.7846529.

Abstract

In China in recent years, male live births have exceeded those of females by amounts far greater than those that occur naturally in human populations, a trend with significant demographic consequences. The resulting imbalance in the first-marriage market is estimated to be about 1 million males per year after 2010. These "excess" males were not easily accommodated in models with substantial changes in first-marriage patterns. The current sex ratio at birth has little effect on a couple's probability of having at least one son, so future increases in the sex ratio may well occur, especially given increasing access to sex-selective abortion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marriage
  • Probability
  • Sex Ratio*