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| Chinese facing shortage of wives | Chinese facing shortage of wives |
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| China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020, making it difficult for them to find wives, according to a national report. | China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020, making it difficult for them to find wives, according to a national report. |
| The gender imbalance could lead to social instability, the report by the State Population and Family Planning Commission warned. | The gender imbalance could lead to social instability, the report by the State Population and Family Planning Commission warned. |
| It found that around 118 boys were born to every 100 girls in 2005. | It found that around 118 boys were born to every 100 girls in 2005. |
| A traditional preference for boys, in a country with a one-child policy, is the root of the problem, the report says. | A traditional preference for boys, in a country with a one-child policy, is the root of the problem, the report says. |
| Abortions on female foetuses are believed to be widespread as couples, particularly in rural areas, hope for a son who will look after them in their old age. | Abortions on female foetuses are believed to be widespread as couples, particularly in rural areas, hope for a son who will look after them in their old age. |
| There is also suspected under-reporting of female births. | There is also suspected under-reporting of female births. |
| 'Embrace girls' | 'Embrace girls' |
| The report said the 118 to 100 ratio of newborn boys to girls had jumped from 110 to 100 recorded in 2000. | The report said the 118 to 100 ratio of newborn boys to girls had jumped from 110 to 100 recorded in 2000. |
| In some areas of southern China, such as Guangdong and Hainan, the figure was 130 boys to 100 girls in 2005. | In some areas of southern China, such as Guangdong and Hainan, the figure was 130 boys to 100 girls in 2005. |
| China fears bachelor future | China fears bachelor future |
| Nationwide this means there will be 30 million more men than women by 2020, making it difficult for those particularly with low income or little education to find a wife, the report said. | Nationwide this means there will be 30 million more men than women by 2020, making it difficult for those particularly with low income or little education to find a wife, the report said. |
| "The increasing difficulties men face finding wives may lead to social instability," the report said. | "The increasing difficulties men face finding wives may lead to social instability," the report said. |
| The report went on: "We need to develop a 'movement to embrace girls'... and effectively contain the trend towards greater gender imbalances." | The report went on: "We need to develop a 'movement to embrace girls'... and effectively contain the trend towards greater gender imbalances." |
| The report also said that China's current 1.3 billion population would grow by 200 million by 2033. | The report also said that China's current 1.3 billion population would grow by 200 million by 2033. |
| And the number of 60-year-olds and over will jump from the current 143 million to 430 million by 2040, 30% of the total population. | And the number of 60-year-olds and over will jump from the current 143 million to 430 million by 2040, 30% of the total population. |
| The country will need to improve its social security and retirement system, as well as its family planning policies and education and health services, the report concludes. | The country will need to improve its social security and retirement system, as well as its family planning policies and education and health services, the report concludes. |
| The BBC's Daniel Griffiths, in BBC, says the one-child policy has already led to other major problems, with many single children facing the prospect of supporting two parents and four grandparents well into their old age. |