The Communist Party of China has suffered a drop in enrollment for the first time in ten years, reports MSN News.

Only 2.4 million people signed up for the developmental stage of Party membership in 2013, a full 825,000 members fewer than 2012, marking a decline of 25.5%.

There are some positive signs for party recruiters, however. Of the 86.7 million members, there are now 21 million female members, a massive increase on the previous year.

It remains to be seen whether any of the 1.6 million new female members will eventually become General Secretary.

Photo: Sohu