Gender imbalance linked to serious social ills

An increasing crime rate, growing demand for pornography and illegal marriage are some of the consequences that could result from the widening gender gap in China, experts have warned.

Currently, there are about 18 million more males of marrying age than females, the Xinhua News Agency said yesterday.

The report said it is estimated that by 2020, males between the ages of 20 and 45 will outnumber their female counterparts by 30 million.