Too many boys skew Vietnam's sex ratio

Slides
Photos

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-13 10:04

HANOI: Officials in Vietnam have warned that too many boys are being born and said the country should learn a lesson from its Asian neighbors, state media reported Tuesday.

Vietnam produces 112 boys for every 100 girls, a gender imbalance that will leave about 3 million men with difficulty finding wives by 2030 if it continues, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan told an online conference of officials, according to Vietnam News Agency.

He said Vietnam could learn big lessons about gender imbalance from China, Japan and South Korea, and asked people's committees to raise awareness through the mass media.

"Strengthening the dissemination of news and information on the issue is necessary," Nhan said.

In the country's commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City, there are 113 boys for every 100 girls, said Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, deputy chairman of the People's Committee, the local government body.

According to Vietnam News Agency, Ha said many books, newspapers and the Internet provide information on prenatal gender selection, violating state policy on minimizing prenatal gender inequality.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Ba Thuy was quoted as saying the number of families with three children has continued to rise and gender imbalance is becoming very apparent.

Reasons for Vietnam's unbalanced sex ratio included pressure to adhere to a two-child policy, a preference for sons, and ready availability of ultrasound and abortion.

AFP