Overview
- A new PNAS study reports that in 2024 men began averaging fewer children than women worldwide.
- A surplus of men of reproductive age drives the shift, fueled by lower male mortality and sex‑selective abortion in some countries.
- Researchers project gaps up to about 20% in China and India, while many Sub‑Saharan African countries remain exceptions due to higher male death rates.
- The team warns of more male childlessness and higher risks of violence and sexually transmitted infections, with incel and Manosphere networks and survey findings of regressive Gen‑Z attitudes adding concern.
- Authors call for raising women’s status to deter sex‑selective abortion and for expanding schooling and jobs for single men to reduce social strain.