The legions of “leftover” women in urban China are growing steadily. There are over 500,000 of them in Beijing, and they represent about 20% of the female population of Shanghai. (Single women actually represent 34% of New York’s urban female population, but that’s Batman’s jurisdiction, so we’re leaving it up to him).



In 2007, the Chinese Ministry of Education listed “shengnu” as one of the 171 new words of the year.



According to a survey of 30,000 men conducted by The All-China Women’s Federation, more than 90 percent said women should marry before 27 to avoid becoming unwanted.



The All-China Women’s Federation also recently published the results of survey that breaks women down into different categories of “leftover.” Beginning at 25, it details how women must “fight” and “hunt” for a partner, so as not to wind up alone. By 28, it implies the heat is really on, telling women “they must triumph.” Between 31 and 35, single women are called “advanced leftovers,” and by 35, a single woman is the “ultimate” leftover. This woman has met great professional success, but like the Monkey King – to whom she is compared – she is flawed in thinking that she is higher than the mandate of heaven, which we can only assume is marriage.



Critics say that “shengnu” are single because their standards are too high. While it is no secret that some women in China use marriage as a means to acquire wealth, “shengnu” are generally educated, well-to-do females who support themselves and have less of a need than their mothers and grandmothers did, to enter a marriage for economic reasons. This allows them to be selective, and they are. Most of them disagree with the idea of marriage just for the sake of it.



Top 3 reasons they’re not married:



1. They’re focusing on careers, enjoying their independence and a more extemporaneous existence before committing to something more serious.
2. They haven’t met the right person yet and aren’t willing to get married and have kids just because their parents want to bao sunzi, or have something small to hug.
3. They haven’t found someone with a big enough house or car (that one’s a bit of a joke, but we realize it happens!)

Other things to add to the list? email us.