# China and India face gender imbalance crisis as men outnumber women by 70 million

2026-08-23T17:00:38+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

China and India together have 70 million more men than women, a gender imbalance on a continental scale created by cultural son preference, government birth-control policies, and sex-selective technology, the South China Morning Post reports. China alone has 34 million more males than females, largely due to its one-child policy from 1979 to 2015. Demographer Li Shuzhuo warns that millions of men unable to marry pose a very big risk to society. Deutsche Welle reports that the shortage of women is now driving a shift in thinking in both countries. Educational campaigns, policy measures, and activism are promoting the value of girls, with some families now seeing a daughter as a blessing rather than a burden. The long-term consequences of the surplus of men, including loneliness, distorted labour markets, and increased crime, are only beginning to emerge. Experts say the impact extends beyond Asia, affecting economies in Europe and the Americas. No comparable demographic shift has occurred in human history.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

SCMP frames the gender imbalance as a deepening crisis with dire economic and social consequences, highlighting loneliness, crime, and market distortions. DW instead leads with a recent reversal: girls are making a comeback, driven by policy and activism. SCMP gives little weight to this change, while DW underplays the scale of the ongoing problem. The balanced reading is that while the surplus of men remains severe, 70 million, both countries have begun targeted interventions, though their effects are still limited. The key metric to watch is the sex ratio at birth, due for update from China's census in 2027. SCMP frames the gender imbalance as a deepening crisis with dire economic and social consequences, highlighting loneliness, crime, and market distortions. DW instead leads with a recent reversal: girls are making a comeback, driven by policy and activism.

## Coverage

Coverage: 2 sources, 1 neutral, 1 sensationalist
- scmp.com (sensationalist) <https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2142658/too-many-men-china-and-india-battle-consequences>
  Leads with crisis language: 'too many men,' 'epidemic of loneliness'
- dw.com (neutral report) <https://www.dw.com/en/close-up-girls-make-a-comeback-in-india-and-china/video-78489532>
  Focuses on positive trend of girls' comeback, attributes to initiatives

This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources. Last updated 2026-08-24T17:00:43+00:00.

Tags: China, India, Li Shuzhuo, one-child policy
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