Yikes!

China’s controversial one-child policy continues to widen the gender disparity in newborn babies, according to a new report.

In 2004, 121 boys were born in China for every 100 girls, according to the government-affiliated Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). That is up from 2000, when the ratio was 117 boys to 100 girls. [Snip]

In 1982, the ratio was 109 boys to 100 girls. By 1990 it had increased to 111 for every 100 girls, to 117 in 2000, and to 121 in 2004.

In Japan, by contrast, 105 boys were born for every 100 girls in 2004.

This disparity is likely to be much worse in rural areas since women generally eschew harsh farm life and flock to cities to work at factories and service jobs. Furthermore, in newly rich urban areas, cadres and their business allies often flaunt the one-child limit and have multiple children (usually through bribes).

Since there is already tremendous social tension in poor rural communities (here and here), this trend will likely exacerbate the situation.

We often talk of lofty ideals of democracy demolishing the Chinese communist oligarchy, but it may be more “mundane” things like eminent domain or lack of marriage partners (i.e. women) in rural areas that one day bring down the CCP.