Chinese authorities say the country's lopsided birthrate, in which male children far outnumber females, has begun to even out.

The director of the National Population and Family Planning Commission told reporters Tuesday that 118.08 males were born for every 100 females last year, compared to 119.45 the year before. Li Bin said the ratio has declined for two consecutive years after several years of increases.

The official Xinhua news agency quoted Li saying the ratio remains “relatively high,” posing a threat to the development of girls and to the nation's long-term development.

The high proportion of male babies is attributed in part to families seeking abortions when the baby is going to be a girl. A longstanding Chinese preference for male babies has been heightened by laws limiting most families to only one child.