Men born between 1975 and 1986 (the years could now be extended to 1987 and 1995), about 12 million, constitute the majority of the unmarried rural population. Worse, more men from the suburbs will join their ranks. But a social crisis is not yet in the making.

The gender imbalance at birth has played a limited role in the "leftover men" problem. They, however, could trigger an even greater crisis－a situation in which more men in their 30s or 40s remain unmarried in the next decade or so.

Measures have to be taken to deal with this huge social problem. For starters, promoting healthy spending on marriages and exempting men from paying huge dowries－traditionally and compulsorily demanded by brides' families－are apparently worth a try. In some cases, weddings have become more like business transactions, which could give rise to vicious dowry competitions and make it more difficult for poor and not so well-off men to get a bride.

To offset the accumulative effects of gender selection before birth, which is still practiced in some areas, the authorities have to take more measures than just encouraging all couples to have two children.

Besides, local governments should work harder to implement the poverty-alleviation programs. They can for instance, relocate entire communities suffering from extreme poverty and scarce natural resources to better places. Also, people should be educated in away to stop discriminating against rural men when it comes to choosing a groom.

The author is an associate professor at the Department of Sociology at Wuhan University.