The study, 'Man Drought and Other Social Issues of the New Century' by Bernard Salt, has shown that the ‘man drought’ in Australia has made it hard for women to find a partner.

It showed that it was easier for an Australian mother to find a man in the 1970s than it is for single women today.

Salt, Australia's most famous demographer, reveals that in 1976, Australia had 54,000 more 30-something men than women, but by 2006 there was a shortfall of 9,000 men in the same age group.

Today's ‘man drought’ was partly due to the fact that Aussie blokes were now more likely to move overseas for work, Salt was quoted as saying by the Australian media. According to the study, about five per cent of the Australian population -- between 750,000 and one million people -- live overseas.

Salt stressed that there is simply less product for 30-something women in particular to choose from.

But it's not all bad news for Australian women. Salt's research found the ‘man drought’ did not exist for women in their 20s who could be mistaken for thinking there were too many men, as they were sought by males of all ages.

"Men suffer a 'Shelia Shortage' in their 20s whereas women endure a 'Man Drought' from 34 onwards," he said.

(Shelia is a slang Australian term for a young woman).