The reason that China has about 30 million fewer females than males under age 20 is:

• A. Sex-selective abortion
• B. Female infanticide
• C. Higher female mortality
• D. Migration of females out of the country

Answer: (B)

A strong preference for sons in Chinese society has historically led to actions that reduce the number of girls from birth. Deliberate female infanticide—the killing or abandoning of girl babies—lowers the female population right from the start, so there are fewer girls to grow up and reach ages under 20. That early loss creates a large imbalance in the youth cohort, with many more males than females. While other factors like higher female mortality or migration can influence ratios, infanticide directly decreases the number of girls at the earliest ages, producing the notable deficit seen in the under-20 population.