How Many Women Are In The World Compared To Men?

How Many Women Are In The World Compared To Men? The global gender distribution reveals a near 50-50 split, but COMPARE.EDU.VN breaks down how this balance varies by region, age, and influencing factors. Discover the insights and demographic trends shaping our world, along with key influencing factors, using comprehensive sex ratio data. Explore statistics on life expectancy differences and understand global population demographics with gender statistics and demographic analysis.

1. Understanding Global Gender Distribution

Globally, the distribution of men and women is nearly balanced, with women making up just under 50% of the world’s population in 2021. However, this ratio varies significantly across different countries and regions due to several factors:

Birth Rates: More males are born than females in almost every country, a trend influenced by biological and, in some regions, cultural practices.
Mortality Rates: Women generally live longer than men, which tends to balance the higher male birth rates.
Migration: Immigration and emigration patterns, often influenced by labor markets and geopolitical factors, can skew gender ratios in specific areas.

The balance of these factors determines the sex ratio of the total population.

Countries with a higher female population share are often found in Eastern Europe, where significant life expectancy gaps exist between men and women. Conversely, some countries in South and East Asia, such as India and China, have lower female population shares due to skewed sex ratios at birth.

2. Sex Ratio Through the Lifespan

The sex ratio, measured as the number of males per 100 females, changes significantly across different age groups.

Early Years: At birth and in childhood, the ratio favors males. This male bias is evident in almost every country.
Adolescence and Young Adulthood: The ratio remains above 100, influenced by higher male birth rates, especially in populous countries like China and India.
Adulthood: The ratio declines as women tend to live longer. By age 70, there are significantly fewer men per 100 women. For example, in Russia, by age 70, there are roughly half as many men as women.

This trend is consistent worldwide, reflecting the longer average lifespan of women compared to men.

3. Examining Sex Ratio at Birth

Across the globe, there are notable differences in the sex ratio at birth. The expected ratio, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is approximately 105 male births for every 100 female births. This natural male bias is attributed to biological factors.

However, some countries show significantly skewed ratios, indicating possible gender discrimination or sex-selective practices.

Natural Bias: Even without intervention, births tend to be slightly male-biased due to a higher risk of miscarriage for female fetuses during certain stages of pregnancy.
Skewed Ratios: Countries like China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan exhibit ratios that deviate significantly from the expected range, suggesting sex-selective practices.

This skewed ratio is not solely due to biological factors but is also influenced by cultural preferences and technological access.

3.1. Why Are Births Naturally Expected To Be Male-Biased?

In most countries, around 105 males are born for every 100 female births. This is the “expected sex ratio at birth” as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Why is this the case?

According to a comprehensive study by Orzack et al. (2015), the sex ratio at conception is equal. However, during pregnancy, the probability of miscarriage varies between male and female fetuses:

In the first week, male zygotes with chromosomal abnormalities have a higher risk of mortality.
Between 10-15 weeks, female fetuses face a higher risk of mortality.
Around week 20, mortality risks are similar for both sexes.
Between 28-35 weeks, male fetuses have a higher risk of mortality.

Overall, these factors result in a male-biased sex ratio at birth.

3.2. In Some Countries, The Sex Ratio Is Skewed Beyond The Expected Sex Ratio

While a slight male bias in births is natural, some countries, such as China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan, have ratios that are significantly skewed. This is likely due to deliberate sex selection practices. More information on skewed sex ratios is available from organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

4. Influence of Birth Order on Sex Ratio

The sex ratio can also be influenced by the birth order of children, especially in countries with a preference for sons.

Son Preference: In countries like India, parents are more likely to continue having children until they have a son. Data shows that families are more likely to stop having children after a son is born.
Variations: The preference for sons varies significantly within countries. For example, some states in India show a stronger preference than others.

Analyzing birth order data provides insights into cultural preferences and their impact on gender ratios.

4.1. Sex Selection Practices Also Became More Prominent For Later Births

The birth order of a child can influence the use of prenatal sex selection. Research indicates that in countries like India and South Korea, sex-selective abortion becomes more prevalent when previous children are girls. For example, in South Korea, the sex ratio for third-born children was more than 200 boys per 100 girls in the early 1990s.

These practices are often driven by cultural preferences for sons and smaller family sizes.

5. Sex Ratio in Childhood

The sex ratio in early childhood is also affected by the initial male bias at birth and subsequent mortality rates.

Asian Countries: Several Asian countries have high sex ratios among five-year-olds, with more boys than expected.
Infant Mortality: Despite higher infant mortality rates among boys, the sex ratio at age five generally remains above 100 in most countries.

These dynamics illustrate the complex interplay between biological factors, cultural practices, and health outcomes.

5.1. Why Do Boys Die More Often Than Girls?

In nearly all countries, child and infant mortality rates are higher for boys. As early as 1786, physician Dr. Joseph Clarke noted that “mortality of males exceeds that of females in almost all stages of life, and particularly the earliest stages.”

Several factors contribute to this:

Boys are more likely to be born prematurely.
Boys’ organs tend to be less physically mature at birth.
Boys have a less developed immune system, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases.

These vulnerabilities contribute to higher mortality rates among infant boys.

6. Child Mortality Differences

Child mortality rates differ between boys and girls, primarily due to biological factors and vulnerabilities.

Global Trends: Child mortality is generally higher for boys worldwide, except in specific regions like India.
Causes of Death: Boys are more susceptible to birth complications and infectious diseases, contributing to higher mortality rates.

These trends highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the specific health needs of male infants and children.

6.1. What Do Infants Die From?

Infants die from a variety of causes, with death rates often differing between boys and girls. Major causes of death include preterm births, asphyxia, birth defects, and infectious diseases. Boys are generally more vulnerable to these conditions due to their less developed immune systems and higher rates of premature birth.

7. The Male Disadvantage

The fact that boys are more susceptible than girls to a range of health conditions is often summarized as the “male disadvantage.” The leading explanations for the “male disadvantage” are based on biological sex differences. More specifically, differences in the physiological maturity of organs, sex chromosomes, and hormones.

7.1. Missing Girls and Women

The term “missing women” was first coined in 1990 by Indian economist Amartya Sen, who estimated that “more than 100 million women are missing.” “Missing women” describes the gap between the actual number of women in a population and the expected number of women if sex discrimination was absent.

8. Biology vs. Discrimination: Skewed Sex Ratios at Birth

The sex ratio at birth is influenced by both biological and cultural factors. While a natural male bias exists, some countries show ratios that are too skewed to be explained by biology alone.

Skewed Ratios: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Montenegro, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia, and Vietnam have significant skews.
Sex-Selective Practices: The rise in skewed ratios often coincides with the availability of prenatal sex determination technology and sex-selective abortion.

Understanding the drivers behind these skewed ratios is crucial for addressing gender discrimination and promoting equality.

8.1. Sex-Selective Abortions and Discrimination Against Girls

After the hepatitis B hypothesis was debunked, no clear evidence of a biological reason for such skewed sex ratios emerged. There is now strong evidence for sex-selective abortion and discrimination against girls across several countries. Not only does the rise in sex ratios coincide with the availability of technology to determine prenatal sex, there is also clear evidence from research investigating the use and promotion of such technologies. In India, for example, prenatal diagnosis became available in the 1970s, shortly after medical abortion was legalized in 1971.

9. Infanticide and Gender Discrimination

Infanticide, the deliberate killing of newborns, has a long history and is often linked to gender discrimination.

Historical Context: Infanticide has been practiced across various cultures and periods, though the reasons and gender specifics vary.
Female Infanticide: While both sexes can be victims, female infanticide is more widely prevalent, particularly in countries with strong son preferences.

Addressing infanticide requires tackling the root causes of gender discrimination and promoting the value of all children.

9.1. Historical Evidence and Estimates of Infanticide

Many researchers have studied the demographic, health, and cultural profiles of prehistoric societies. In rare cases, they can use indirect evidence of the fossil record, but many rely on modern hunter-gatherer societies today. Estimates for infanticide in prehistoric societies are very high. Using recent hunter-gatherer societies as a proxy, some studies suggest anywhere from 15% to 50% of newborns were killed in the first year of life.

9.2. Both Sexes Are Victims of Infanticide

It’s a common assumption that infanticide relates only to female infanticide: the killing of unwanted girls. But the role or direction of gender discrimination — either towards boys or girls — varies between contexts. Sometimes there is no clear gender discrimination, and it occurs for both sexes.

10. Estimating Missing Women

The concept of “missing women” refers to the gap between the expected and actual number of women in a population, reflecting gender discrimination.

Challenges: Calculating the number of missing women is complex due to data accuracy issues and variations in expected sex ratios.
Estimates: Despite uncertainties, estimates suggest that over 100 million women are missing globally, with the majority in China and India.

Addressing the issue of missing women requires comprehensive strategies to combat gender discrimination and promote equal opportunities.

10.1. How Many Girls and Women Are Missing Every Year?

Estimates of missing female births and excess female deaths provide insights into the annual impact of gender discrimination. Sex-selective abortions have become more common since the 1970s. In 2015, over 3 million women were estimated to be missing, with about half due to missing births and half due to excess female mortality.

11. Why Is There A Preference For A Son In Some Places?

Son preference is most common in countries across East and South Asia, but also in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa. What these countries tend to have in common is a strong logic of “patrilineality”: the logic that productive assets move through the male line within the family.

This can produce economic and social benefits to having a son rather than a daughter, including:

Support in old age
Inheritance of land and property
Continuation of the family name and lineage
Lower dowry costs

12. Consequences of Skewed Sex Ratios

Skewed sex ratios can have several adverse consequences on individuals and society.

Unmarriageable Men: A gender imbalance leads to a large number of unmarriageable men, affecting marriage dynamics and family structures.
Negative Impacts on Women: Women may face increased pressure to marry and have children, limiting their opportunities.
Social Instability: Some researchers hypothesize that skewed ratios could lead to more crime, violence, and social disorder.

Addressing gender imbalances is crucial for promoting social stability and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

13. The Impact of Economic Factors

Economic factors, such as income and education levels, play a complex role in gender preference and sex ratios.

Development Paradox: Contrary to expectations, richer and more educated families may exhibit greater gender discrimination.
Fertility Squeeze: As development reduces fertility rates, the pressure to have a son increases, exacerbating gender preference.

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing effective policies to promote gender equality.

13.1. In Smaller Families, You’re Less Likely To Have A Son By Chance

In India, average fertility rates fell from almost 6 children per woman before the 1960s to 2 in the 2010s; in China, it also fell from over 6 in the mid-20th century to below 2 since the 1990s. In South Korea, it fell from over 6 in the 1950s to just one child per woman since the 2000s.

As countries have become richer, education levels have increased; women have gained more rights to education, labor participation, and healthcare decisions, and fertility rates have fallen rapidly.

But the result is that if parents really want a son, their chances of having one naturally are now much lower. For parents of fewer children with a strong son preference, sex-selective abortion therefore became a much more important option.

13.2. Development Drives Factors That Can Both Increase and Decrease Sex Preference

It’s difficult to come to an overall conclusion on how development affects the sex ratio. This is because better education and rising incomes can affect gender selection in different ways. This is because the skewed sex ratio results from sex preference and the ability to act on it — by having a sex-selective abortion, for example.

14. Effectiveness of Banning Prenatal Practices

Banning prenatal sex determination and selective abortion is a common policy aimed at reducing skewed sex ratios.

Limited Impact: Evidence suggests that bans alone are not sufficient to address the problem. In countries like South Korea, China, and India, the sex ratio continued to increase after bans were implemented.
Counterfactual Scenario: Researchers acknowledge that without bans, the sex ratio might have worsened further, suggesting they may have had some preventive effect.

Addressing the root causes of gender preference is essential for achieving meaningful change.

14.1. The Importance of Addressing Root Causes

Effective strategies to address skewed sex ratios must go beyond bans on prenatal practices and focus on transforming cultural attitudes and promoting gender equality.

15. Addressing Gender Imbalance

The issue of gender imbalance, stemming from skewed sex ratios, requires multifaceted solutions that address both immediate and underlying causes. It is essential to:

Promote Gender Equality: Implement policies and initiatives that ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and girls in education, employment, and healthcare.
Tackle Son Preference: Challenge cultural norms and beliefs that favor sons over daughters through education and awareness campaigns.
Enforce Regulations: Strengthen and enforce laws against sex-selective practices, while ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive health services.
Empower Women: Empower women economically and socially to reduce their dependence on sons for security and support.
Improve Data Collection: Enhance the accuracy and reliability of data on sex ratios and related indicators to inform evidence-based policies.

By taking these steps, societies can move towards a more balanced and equitable gender distribution, fostering a future where every individual, regardless of their sex, has the opportunity to thrive.

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18. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the current global sex ratio?
The global sex ratio is approximately balanced, with slightly more males than females.
Why are more boys born than girls?
Biological factors result in a higher probability of male births.
What causes skewed sex ratios in some countries?
Cultural preferences for sons and sex-selective practices contribute to skewed ratios.
How does development affect gender preference?
Development can both increase and decrease gender preference depending on various factors.
Are bans on prenatal practices effective?
Bans alone are not fully effective without addressing underlying cultural attitudes.
What are the consequences of skewed sex ratios?
Consequences include unmarriageable men, pressure on women, and potential social instability.
How can we address gender imbalance?
Promoting gender equality, challenging son preference, and enforcing regulations are essential.
What is the “fertility squeeze”?
It refers to the increased pressure to have a son as fertility rates decline.
Why are child mortality rates higher for boys?
Boys are more vulnerable to birth complications and infectious diseases.
What is the definition of “missing women”?
“Missing women” describes the gap between the actual number of women in a population and the expected number of women if sex discrimination was absent.