Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth 2002

Explore the global average sex ratio at birth, highlighting the natural baseline in different countries.

236 data points•Updated 9/24/2026•Global Coverage•Sex ratio at birth | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Holy See	200 male/female
2	China	117.067 male/female
3	Armenia	116.923 male/female
4	Tuvalu	116.514 male/female
5	Azerbaijan	115.296 male/female
6	Northern Mariana Islands	114.195 male/female
7	Cook Islands	111.806 male/female
8	Qatar	110.977 male/female
9	South Korea	110.433 male/female
10	Turks and Caicos Islands	110.185 male/female
11	Georgia	109.991 male/female
12	Liechtenstein	109.89 male/female
13	Albania	109.787 male/female
14	Taiwan	109.508 male/female
15	Brunei Darussalam	109.293 male/female
16	San Marino	109.155 male/female
17	India	108.95 male/female
18	Samoa	108.689 male/female
19	Maldives	108.586 male/female
20	Wallis and Futuna Islands	108.511 male/female
21	Tunisia	108.427 male/female
22	Tonga	108.162 male/female
23	Marshall Islands	107.846 male/female
24	China, Hong Kong SAR	107.83 male/female
25	Isle of Man	107.39 male/female
26	Pakistan	107.387 male/female
27	Faroe Islands	107.375 male/female
28	Philippines	107.367 male/female
29	Vietnam	107.278 male/female
30	Portugal	107.199 male/female
31	North Macedonia	107.19 male/female
32	American Samoa	107.143 male/female
33	China, Macao SAR	107.09 male/female
34	Papua New Guinea	106.982 male/female
35	Solomon Islands	106.958 male/female
36	Guam	106.956 male/female
37	Malaysia	106.878 male/female
38	Bhutan	106.756 male/female
39	Fiji	106.74 male/female
40	Serbia	106.727 male/female
41	Bulgaria	106.72 male/female
42	Cuba	106.717 male/female
43	Vanuatu	106.671 male/female
44	Slovenia	106.587 male/female
45	Gibraltar	106.569 male/female
46	Timor-Leste	106.521 male/female
47	Libya	106.486 male/female
48	Comoros	106.475 male/female
49	Singapore	106.41 male/female
50	Kiribati	106.363 male/female
51	Bosnia and Herzegovina	106.335 male/female
52	Thailand	106.263 male/female
53	Cyprus	106.207 male/female
54	Kuwait	106.184 male/female
55	Belarus	106.181 male/female
56	Malta	106.147 male/female
57	Morocco	106.064 male/female
58	Ukraine	106.059 male/female
59	Venezuela	106.049 male/female
60	El Salvador	106.03 male/female
61	Palau	105.97 male/female
62	Switzerland	105.961 male/female
63	French Polynesia	105.956 male/female
64	Republic of Moldova	105.956 male/female
65	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	105.921 male/female
66	Turkmenistan	105.913 male/female
67	Slovakia	105.89 male/female
68	Myanmar	105.884 male/female
69	Hungary	105.88 male/female
70	Czech Republic	105.839 male/female
71	Sweden	105.81 male/female
72	Montenegro	105.807 male/female
73	Afghanistan	105.779 male/female
74	Andorra	105.769 male/female
75	Turkey	105.763 male/female
76	Puerto Rico	105.714 male/female
77	Germany	105.706 male/female
78	Uzbekistan	105.669 male/female
79	Austria	105.657 male/female
80	Indonesia	105.582 male/female
81	Poland	105.581 male/female
82	Spain	105.56 male/female
83	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	105.556 male/female
84	Saudi Arabia	105.535 male/female
85	Japan	105.535 male/female
86	Yemen	105.452 male/female
87	Italy	105.428 male/female
88	Tajikistan	105.369 male/female
89	Australia	105.343 male/female
90	Iceland	105.337 male/female
91	Russia	105.316 male/female
92	Equatorial Guinea	105.298 male/female
93	Iraq	105.296 male/female
94	North Korea	105.272 male/female
95	Canada	105.226 male/female
96	Denmark	105.224 male/female
97	New Caledonia	105.175 male/female
98	Netherlands	105.156 male/female
99	Lithuania	105.154 male/female
100	Finland	105.108 male/female
101	Israel	105.055 male/female
102	Ireland	105.041 male/female
103	Argentina	105.036 male/female
104	Costa Rica	104.992 male/female
105	Egypt	104.966 male/female
106	Croatia	104.961 male/female
107	Kazakhstan	104.923 male/female
108	Luxembourg	104.918 male/female
109	United Kingdom	104.898 male/female
110	Panama	104.888 male/female
111	Honduras	104.864 male/female
112	Paraguay	104.857 male/female
113	Syrian Arab Republic	104.783 male/female
114	Norway	104.761 male/female
115	Uruguay	104.757 male/female
116	United Arab Emirates	104.751 male/female
117	Estonia	104.743 male/female
118	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	104.743 male/female
119	Belgium	104.737 male/female
120	Greece	104.705 male/female
121	France	104.652 male/female
122	State of Palestine	104.616 male/female
123	Ethiopia	104.58 male/female
124	United States	104.565 male/female
125	Belize	104.506 male/female
126	Algeria	104.468 male/female
127	Kyrgyzstan	104.458 male/female
128	Oman	104.431 male/female
129	Jordan	104.366 male/female
130	Ecuador	104.356 male/female
131	Curaçao	104.32 male/female
132	Colombia	104.292 male/female
133	Chile	104.287 male/female
134	Sri Lanka	104.251 male/female
135	Nepal	104.248 male/female
136	Western Sahara	104.095 male/female
137	Cambodia	104.073 male/female
138	Bahrain	104.059 male/female
139	Iran	104.047 male/female
140	Dominican Republic	104.044 male/female
141	New Zealand	104.036 male/female
142	Laos	103.936 male/female
143	Latvia	103.931 male/female
144	Greenland	103.917 male/female
145	Brazil	103.89 male/female
146	Guernsey	103.871 male/female
147	Benin	103.853 male/female
148	Bermuda	103.817 male/female
149	Guinea	103.755 male/female
150	Aruba	103.741 male/female
151	Barbados	103.708 male/female
152	Réunion	103.704 male/female
153	United States Virgin Islands	103.664 male/female
154	Lebanon	103.634 male/female
155	Guadeloupe	103.627 male/female
156	Trinidad and Tobago	103.627 male/female
157	South Africa	103.587 male/female
158	Saint Helena	103.571 male/female
159	Grenada	103.563 male/female
160	Bolivia	103.543 male/female
161	Jamaica	103.536 male/female
162	Romania	103.536 male/female
163	Burkina Faso	103.529 male/female
164	Somalia	103.523 male/female
165	Niger	103.499 male/female
166	Sudan	103.483 male/female
167	Suriname	103.465 male/female
168	Jersey	103.455 male/female
169	Cabo Verde	103.434 male/female
170	Mongolia	103.401 male/female
171	Mexico	103.393 male/female
172	Nigeria	103.384 male/female
173	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	103.373 male/female
174	Seychelles	103.371 male/female
175	French Guiana	103.366 male/female
176	Peru	103.357 male/female
177	Bangladesh	103.301 male/female
178	Mauritius	103.214 male/female
179	Ghana	103.112 male/female
180	Guyana	103.103 male/female
181	Chad	103.079 male/female
182	Djibouti	103.043 male/female
183	Anguilla	103.03 male/female
184	Mali	103.026 male/female
185	Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba	102.97 male/female
186	Senegal	102.954 male/female
187	Saint Lucia	102.899 male/female
188	Antigua and Barbuda	102.896 male/female
189	Guinea-Bissau	102.872 male/female
190	Martinique	102.763 male/female
191	Monaco	102.732 male/female
192	Nicaragua	102.72 male/female
193	Guatemala	102.673 male/female
194	Madagascar	102.664 male/female
195	Mayotte	102.599 male/female
196	South Sudan	102.594 male/female
197	Nauru	102.5 male/female
198	Liberia	102.463 male/female
199	Botswana	102.412 male/female
200	Gambia	102.383 male/female
201	Mauritania	102.318 male/female
202	Saint Kitts and Nevis	102.302 male/female
203	Eritrea	102.239 male/female
204	Central African Republic	102.168 male/female
205	British Virgin Islands	102.128 male/female
206	Sao Tome and Principe	101.905 male/female
207	Haiti	101.898 male/female
208	Saint Martin (French part)	101.887 male/female
209	Sierra Leone	101.867 male/female
210	Lesotho	101.747 male/female
211	Eswatini	101.739 male/female
212	Bahamas	101.682 male/female
213	Cameroon	101.603 male/female
214	Côte d'Ivoire	101.58 male/female
215	Congo	101.567 male/female
216	Cayman Islands	101.538 male/female
217	Togo	101.505 male/female
218	Zimbabwe	101.491 male/female
219	Burundi	101.428 male/female
220	Tanzania	101.369 male/female
221	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	101.351 male/female
222	Angola	101.306 male/female
223	Kenya	100.955 male/female
224	Gabon	100.842 male/female
225	Uganda	100.765 male/female
226	Mozambique	100.143 male/female
227	Namibia	100.037 male/female
228	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	100 male/female
229	Montserrat	100 male/female
230	Dominica	99.653 male/female
231	Malawi	99.546 male/female
232	Zambia	99.477 male/female
233	Rwanda	99.179 male/female
234	Saint Barthélemy	97.778 male/female
235	Tokelau	95.652 male/female
236	Niue	90 male/female

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2002, the Holy See recorded the highest Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth at an extraordinary 200 males per female, while the range across the globe varied from a minimum of 102.38 to this maximum. The global average during this year was 105.97 male births per female, providing a benchmark for understanding the natural baseline in different countries.

Understanding the Global Average

The global average sex ratio at birth of 105.97 in 2002 suggests a natural biological tendency slightly favoring male births. This aligns with the typical biological expectation of approximately 105 male births for every 100 female births, a ratio that compensates for higher male infant mortality rates. Notably, countries such as China and Armenia, with sex ratios of 117.06723 and 116.92298 respectively, exceed this biological norm, likely due to socio-cultural factors like gender preference, which historically skewed birth ratios.

Socio-Cultural Influences

In countries like China and Armenia, the elevated sex ratios can be attributed to cultural practices and policies. China's one-child policy, combined with a traditional preference for male heirs, created conditions conducive to sex-selective practices. Similarly, in Azerbaijan with a ratio of 115.29602, cultural preferences have exerted significant influence. In contrast, countries like Gambia and Botswana exhibit ratios closer to the natural baseline, with values of 102.38 and 102.41, respectively, suggesting less external influence on natural sex ratios.

Economic and Policy Drivers

Economic development and policy frameworks play pivotal roles in sex ratio variations. South Korea, with a sex ratio of 110.433426, has seen shifts over time due to governmental interventions aimed at balancing gender ratios, illustrating how policy can mediate cultural biases. Conversely, in Qatar and the Northern Mariana Islands, with ratios of 110.97734 and 114.19458 respectively, rapid economic development and migrant worker influxes may skew ratios as demographic compositions change.

Year-over-Year Changes and Trends

The year 2002 also saw notable shifts in sex ratios, with Tuvalu recording a significant increase of 4.23 (3.8%), highlighting potential localized factors or data anomalies. In contrast, Saint Helena experienced a decrease of 6.43 (-5.8%), indicating possible demographic changes or improved reporting accuracy. The decrease in the Turks and Caicos Islands by 6.40 (-5.5%) suggests shifts in population dynamics or policy impacts, reflecting the complexity of factors influencing these statistics.

Overall, the Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2002 presents a complex interplay of biological norms, cultural influences, and economic factors. Understanding these dynamics helps unravel the intricate patterns observed across different countries, providing insights into the socio-economic and cultural landscapes that shape demographic outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2002

Which country had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2002?

The Holy See had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2002 with 200 male/female.

Which country had the lowest sex ratio at birth in 2002?

Niue had the lowest sex ratio at birth in 2002 with 90 male/female.

What was the average sex ratio at birth globally in 2002?

The average global sex ratio at birth in 2002 was 105 male/female.

What was the median sex ratio at birth among countries in 2002?

The median sex ratio at birth among countries in 2002 was 105 male/female.

How many countries are included in the 2002 dataset for sex ratio at birth?

The dataset includes 236 countries for the sex ratio at birth in 2002.

Which countries were among the top 10 for highest sex ratio at birth in 2002?

The top 10 countries with the highest sex ratio at birth in 2002 included the Holy See, China, Armenia, Tuvalu, and Azerbaijan, among others.

Insights by country

United Kingdom

In 2002, the United Kingdom had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 104.89807 male/female, ranking #109 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, reflecting trends seen in many Western nations. Factors contributing to this ratio include the UK's relatively balanced demographic policies and cultural norms that promote gender equality, which influence family planning and reproductive choices.

Dominica

In 2002, Dominica ranked #230 globally for the Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth with a value of 99.65278 male/female. This figure is notably lower than the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Factors contributing to this statistic include Dominica's relatively small population, which can lead to greater fluctuations in sex ratios, and cultural practices surrounding family planning and gender preference.

Suriname

In 2002, Suriname ranked #167 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.46517 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Contributing factors to this ratio in Suriname include cultural preferences for male offspring and regional demographic trends influenced by migration patterns and economic conditions. Additionally, the country's diverse ethnic composition may also play a role in shaping these birth ratios.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

In 2002, Saint Kitts and Nevis had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.30179 male/female, ranking #202 out of 236 countries. This ratio is slightly above the global average, reflecting a common trend in many small island nations where cultural preferences may influence birth ratios. Factors such as limited immigration and a small, stable population contribute to this statistic, as demographic patterns in such countries often lead to less variation in sex ratios at birth compared to larger nations.

Greece

In 2002, Greece had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 104.70505 male/female, ranking #120 out of 236 countries. This ratio is slightly higher than the global average, which typically hovers around 104 males for every 100 females. Contributing factors to Greece's sex ratio include cultural preferences for male children and demographic patterns influenced by immigration and emigration trends. Additionally, Greece's relatively stable socio-economic environment may affect family planning decisions and gender preferences.

Malta

In 2002, Malta ranked #56 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 106.14693 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Contributing factors to this ratio in Malta include its stable healthcare system and relatively low levels of sex-selective practices, which are more prevalent in some neighboring regions.

Montenegro

In 2002, Montenegro had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 105.80723 male/female, ranking #72 out of 236 countries. This ratio is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Contributing factors to this statistic in Montenegro include cultural preferences for male children and demographic trends influenced by historical conflicts in the region, which may have affected birth patterns.

Russia

In 2002, Russia ranked #91 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 105.31588 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, reflecting a common trend in many countries where slightly more males are born than females. Contributing factors include cultural preferences for male children and demographic patterns influenced by historical events such as World War II, which have shaped family structures and gender dynamics in the country.

Romania

In 2002, Romania ranked #162 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.5358 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a typical preference for male children seen in various cultures. Contributing factors include historical gender roles and economic conditions that prioritize male offspring for labor and support within families, particularly in rural areas of Romania.

Saint Lucia

In 2002, Saint Lucia had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.89855 male/female, ranking #187 out of 236 countries. This ratio is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. The relatively balanced sex ratio in Saint Lucia can be attributed to its healthcare policies and cultural practices that promote gender equality, alongside a stable socio-economic environment that supports family planning initiatives.

Monaco

In 2002, Monaco ranked #191 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.73224 male/female. This ratio is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Monaco's unique demographic profile, characterized by a high standard of living and a significant expatriate population, influences its birth ratios, as families may prioritize gender balance differently compared to other regions.

Croatia

In 2002, Croatia had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 104.96081 male/female, ranking #106 out of 236 countries. This ratio is slightly higher than the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Factors influencing Croatia's sex ratio at birth include cultural preferences for male children and demographic trends influenced by the country's post-war recovery and economic conditions.

Niue

In 2002, Niue had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 90 male/female, ranking #236 out of 236 countries. This figure is below the typical global average of approximately 105 male births for every 100 female births, indicating a significant gender imbalance. Factors contributing to this statistic in Niue may include its small population size and limited immigration, which can amplify demographic variations in birth ratios.

Data Source

Sex ratio at birth | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive datasets on global development issues, including the sex ratio at birth across various countries. The dataset offers insights into demographic trends and disparities related to gender at the national level.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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