Abstract
The sex ratio at birth (SRB) in China began to rise rapidly in the 1980s and declined after 2009. The ratio has maintained a downward trend since 2009, but is still higher than the normal level. The government of China has committed to redress the distortions in SRB and has initiated multiple actions to accomplish that end. Against a background of economic development, accelerating modernization and the empowerment of women, China has strengthened governance and made significant progress in balancing the sex ratio at birth. This paper examines the trend for SRB in China, summarizes the practices that address gender imbalance at birth, and analyzes the challenges ahead.
Highlights
Sex ratio at birth (SRB) refers to the ratio between live male births and live female births during a certain period of time
More than a dozen countries in the world are experiencing distorted SRB. These countries are in East, West and South Asia, and Eastern Europe; the affected population accounts for about 40% of the world’s population
In 2003, based on the success of pilot project in Chaohu City, the National Population and Family Planning Commission selected 24 counties/districts with the highest SRB in 24 provinces and carried out a larger scale pilot project called “Care for Girls”. This project advanced a “5 + 1” governance model that aimed to curb a further rise of SRB by creating a supportive environment for the survival and development of girls
Summary
Sex ratio at birth (SRB) refers to the ratio between live male births and live female births during a certain period of time. More than a dozen countries in the world are experiencing distorted SRB. These countries are in East, West and South Asia, and Eastern Europe; the affected population accounts for about 40% of the world’s population. China is the world’s most populous country, as well as being the country with the highest SRB for the longest elapsed period and the country experiencing the most profound. China’s practices in addressing skewed SRB could be a valuable reference for other countries.
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