Asia's 'missing girls' crisis spans generations, UN report reveals

A profound demographic crisis has left over 140 million girls "missing" from global population statistics, primarily due to widespread prenatal gender selection across Asia. According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) data, approximately 100 million of these absent females would have been born in Asian countries, where cultural and economic preferences for sons continue to drive sex-selective practices.

Skewed Birth Ratios and Regional Trends

The natural sex ratio at birth typically ranges between 104-106 boys per 100 girls, but several Asian nations show alarming deviations. Vietnam's ratio has worsened from 109.8 boys per 100 girls in 2006 to 112 in 2023, prompting government warnings of a potential surplus of 2.5 million men by 2059. While China, South Korea and India have made progress through policy interventions, the practice remains entrenched in many regions where sons are traditionally valued as economic providers and family lineage carriers.

Root Causes and Societal Pressures

UNFPA analysis identifies "societal expectations that attribute greater economic, social and religious value to boys" as the fundamental driver of sex selection. Sons are typically viewed as future providers and inheritors, while daughters are often perceived as financial liabilities due to dowry customs and their eventual departure from natal families. The availability of prenatal sex-determination technology, initially introduced for population management, has unfortunately facilitated these selective practices.

Demographic Consequences and Solutions

The resulting gender imbalance creates what experts term a "marriage squeeze," with surplus men unable to find partners. Cornell University professor Alaka Basu notes this leads to "shortage of eligible brides" and reduced birth rates, while also increasing social unrest and gender-based violence. Effective solutions require comprehensive approaches including female education and employment opportunities, social security reducing parental dependence on sons, and public messaging valuing daughters, as demonstrated by successful reforms in South Korea and India.