Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth 2004

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	117.382 male/female
3	Armenia	116.362 male/female
4	Azerbaijan	115.875 male/female
5	Maldives	111.727 male/female
6	Wallis and Futuna Islands	111.628 male/female
7	Northern Mariana Islands	111.573 male/female
8	Albania	111.09 male/female
9	Qatar	110.98 male/female
10	Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba	110.891 male/female
11	South Korea	110.45 male/female
12	Taiwan	110.394 male/female
13	Luxembourg	110.157 male/female
14	Georgia	109.846 male/female
15	San Marino	109.655 male/female
16	India	109.148 male/female
17	American Samoa	109.064 male/female
18	Montenegro	109.021 male/female
19	Brunei Darussalam	108.947 male/female
20	Tunisia	108.743 male/female
21	Tonga	108.298 male/female
22	Faroe Islands	108.163 male/female
23	Tuvalu	108.036 male/female
24	China, Macao SAR	107.532 male/female
25	Samoa	107.426 male/female
26	Philippines	107.4 male/female
27	Kuwait	107.317 male/female
28	Pakistan	107.129 male/female
29	Papua New Guinea	107.028 male/female
30	Isle of Man	106.971 male/female
31	Guam	106.837 male/female
32	Turkmenistan	106.834 male/female
33	North Macedonia	106.776 male/female
34	Fiji	106.765 male/female
35	Cook Islands	106.757 male/female
36	Marshall Islands	106.744 male/female
37	Malaysia	106.742 male/female
38	Bosnia and Herzegovina	106.669 male/female
39	Cyprus	106.668 male/female
40	Vanuatu	106.658 male/female
41	Latvia	106.641 male/female
42	Solomon Islands	106.64 male/female
43	British Virgin Islands	106.623 male/female
44	Spain	106.456 male/female
45	Kiribati	106.441 male/female
46	Timor-Leste	106.435 male/female
47	China, Hong Kong SAR	106.318 male/female
48	Cuba	106.284 male/female
49	Croatia	106.273 male/female
50	Portugal	106.223 male/female
51	Sweden	106.207 male/female
52	Libya	106.206 male/female
53	Equatorial Guinea	106.153 male/female
54	Thailand	106.14 male/female
55	El Salvador	106.125 male/female
56	Saudi Arabia	106.121 male/female
57	French Polynesia	106.024 male/female
58	Nauru	105.926 male/female
59	Poland	105.916 male/female
60	Bulgaria	105.885 male/female
61	Myanmar	105.874 male/female
62	Republic of Moldova	105.871 male/female
63	Puerto Rico	105.844 male/female
64	Australia	105.837 male/female
65	Hungary	105.82 male/female
66	Venezuela	105.802 male/female
67	Belarus	105.795 male/female
68	Czech Republic	105.783 male/female
69	Ukraine	105.76 male/female
70	Uzbekistan	105.736 male/female
71	Afghanistan	105.702 male/female
72	Russia	105.692 male/female
73	Bhutan	105.628 male/female
74	Turkey	105.599 male/female
75	Canada	105.598 male/female
76	Austria	105.592 male/female
77	Indonesia	105.583 male/female
78	Iran	105.58 male/female
79	Slovakia	105.571 male/female
80	Italy	105.566 male/female
81	United Arab Emirates	105.453 male/female
82	New Caledonia	105.451 male/female
83	Norway	105.439 male/female
84	Romania	105.41 male/female
85	Israel	105.399 male/female
86	North Korea	105.394 male/female
87	Tajikistan	105.389 male/female
88	Iraq	105.384 male/female
89	United Kingdom	105.37 male/female
90	Japan	105.341 male/female
91	Serbia	105.339 male/female
92	Vietnam	105.314 male/female
93	Germany	105.304 male/female
94	Yemen	105.297 male/female
95	Ireland	105.269 male/female
96	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	105.263 male/female
97	Jersey	105.231 male/female
98	Argentina	105.204 male/female
99	Greece	105.177 male/female
100	Lithuania	105.154 male/female
101	Netherlands	105.108 male/female
102	Singapore	105.09 male/female
103	Kazakhstan	105.084 male/female
104	Switzerland	105.073 male/female
105	Belgium	105.063 male/female
106	Denmark	105.049 male/female
107	Honduras	104.99 male/female
108	Slovenia	104.903 male/female
109	New Zealand	104.873 male/female
110	Paraguay	104.855 male/female
111	Kyrgyzstan	104.833 male/female
112	Panama	104.832 male/female
113	Syrian Arab Republic	104.829 male/female
114	Uruguay	104.736 male/female
115	Ethiopia	104.722 male/female
116	Algeria	104.721 male/female
117	United States	104.72 male/female
118	France	104.717 male/female
119	Finland	104.637 male/female
120	Guernsey	104.605 male/female
121	Costa Rica	104.56 male/female
122	State of Palestine	104.532 male/female
123	Chile	104.529 male/female
124	Nepal	104.435 male/female
125	Curaçao	104.412 male/female
126	Iceland	104.409 male/female
127	Colombia	104.407 male/female
128	Liechtenstein	104.396 male/female
129	Ecuador	104.327 male/female
130	Dominican Republic	104.279 male/female
131	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	104.208 male/female
132	Egypt	104.194 male/female
133	Montserrat	104.167 male/female
134	Oman	104.148 male/female
135	Western Sahara	104.129 male/female
136	Cambodia	104.122 male/female
137	Estonia	104.063 male/female
138	Seychelles	104.039 male/female
139	Jordan	104.031 male/female
140	Réunion	103.963 male/female
141	Brazil	103.932 male/female
142	Sri Lanka	103.9 male/female
143	Bahrain	103.867 male/female
144	Belize	103.862 male/female
145	Benin	103.823 male/female
146	Laos	103.819 male/female
147	Aruba	103.806 male/female
148	Guinea	103.793 male/female
149	Grenada	103.786 male/female
150	Morocco	103.779 male/female
151	United States Virgin Islands	103.722 male/female
152	Trinidad and Tobago	103.714 male/female
153	Cabo Verde	103.712 male/female
154	South Africa	103.606 male/female
155	Bermuda	103.601 male/female
156	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	103.571 male/female
157	Jamaica	103.571 male/female
158	Burkina Faso	103.568 male/female
159	Mongolia	103.549 male/female
160	Bolivia	103.529 male/female
161	Lebanon	103.526 male/female
162	Guadeloupe	103.524 male/female
163	Niger	103.522 male/female
164	Sudan	103.506 male/female
165	Somalia	103.491 male/female
166	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	103.448 male/female
167	Nigeria	103.43 male/female
168	Mexico	103.418 male/female
169	Mauritius	103.388 male/female
170	Chad	103.348 male/female
171	French Guiana	103.336 male/female
172	Peru	103.3 male/female
173	Andorra	103.279 male/female
174	Suriname	103.276 male/female
175	Malta	103.191 male/female
176	Barbados	103.184 male/female
177	Guyana	103.184 male/female
178	Bangladesh	103.151 male/female
179	Mali	103.053 male/female
180	Djibouti	103.042 male/female
181	Ghana	103.042 male/female
182	Saint Lucia	103.014 male/female
183	Senegal	102.925 male/female
184	Martinique	102.921 male/female
185	Guinea-Bissau	102.906 male/female
186	Nicaragua	102.847 male/female
187	South Sudan	102.827 male/female
188	Antigua and Barbuda	102.742 male/female
189	Liberia	102.629 male/female
190	Madagascar	102.628 male/female
191	Gibraltar	102.577 male/female
192	Dominica	102.564 male/female
193	Comoros	102.541 male/female
194	Guatemala	102.525 male/female
195	Botswana	102.409 male/female
196	Greenland	102.37 male/female
197	Mauritania	102.368 male/female
198	Gambia	102.366 male/female
199	Eswatini	102.349 male/female
200	Mayotte	102.304 male/female
201	Eritrea	102.28 male/female
202	Central African Republic	102.21 male/female
203	Haiti	102.142 male/female
204	Rwanda	102.085 male/female
205	Sierra Leone	101.977 male/female
206	Togo	101.9 male/female
207	Sao Tome and Principe	101.889 male/female
208	Monaco	101.807 male/female
209	Côte d'Ivoire	101.748 male/female
210	Lesotho	101.743 male/female
211	Bahamas	101.733 male/female
212	Congo	101.601 male/female
213	Cameroon	101.578 male/female
214	Turks and Caicos Islands	101.389 male/female
215	Angola	101.383 male/female
216	Zimbabwe	101.321 male/female
217	Tanzania	101.296 male/female
218	Burundi	101.277 male/female
219	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	101.171 male/female
220	Saint Kitts and Nevis	101.096 male/female
221	Anguilla	101.053 male/female
222	Kenya	100.982 male/female
223	Gabon	100.882 male/female
224	Uganda	100.616 male/female
225	Saint Martin (French part)	100.549 male/female
226	Mozambique	100.33 male/female
227	Namibia	100.127 male/female
228	Tokelau	100 male/female
229	Zambia	99.719 male/female
230	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	99.603 male/female
231	Malawi	99.388 male/female
232	Cayman Islands	98.82 male/female
233	Palau	96.454 male/female
234	Saint Helena	92.308 male/female
235	Saint Barthélemy	89.13 male/female
236	Niue	84.211 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

The Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2004 was led by the Holy See with a ratio of 200 males per 100 females, demonstrating a significant deviation from the global range of 102.30 to 200.00. The global average for this year was 105.89, providing a baseline for understanding natural sex ratio trends across countries.

Understanding the Global Average and Natural Baseline

The global average sex ratio at birth of 105.89 reflects a natural biological baseline where more males are typically born compared to females. This slight male bias is observed due to higher infant mortality rates among males, balancing out the population over time. In China, with a ratio of 117.38, cultural and policy factors, such as the one-child policy and a traditional preference for male children, have historically influenced higher ratios. Similarly, Armenia and Azerbaijan exhibit elevated ratios of 116.36 and 115.87 respectively, often attributed to socio-cultural factors that favor male offspring.

Extreme Values: Cultural and Policy Impacts

The Holy See presents an outlier with a ratio of 200, which may be attributed to unique demographic reporting practices or a small population size skewing data representation. In contrast, Mayotte and Eswatini, with ratios of 102.30 and 102.35 respectively, align closely with the natural baseline, indicating minimal socio-cultural interference in birth ratios. These figures suggest that countries with minimal policy intervention or cultural bias tend to adhere to natural sex ratio patterns.

Year-over-Year Changes: Trends and Anomalies

Analyzing year-over-year changes, the British Virgin Islands exhibited the largest increase in sex ratio, rising by 3.79 (3.7%), indicating potential shifts in demographic trends or data collection methodologies. Conversely, Liechtenstein saw a significant decrease of 5.21 (4.8%), which might reflect changes in population dynamics or reporting criteria. The Maldives, with a notable increase of 1.51 (1.4%), and Gibraltar, with a decrease of 3.81 (3.6%), highlight how small population sizes can lead to pronounced fluctuations in annual sex ratio statistics.

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Ratios

Economic development and urbanization often correlate with shifts in sex ratios at birth. In rapidly urbanizing regions like the Northern Mariana Islands with a ratio of 111.57, economic incentives may influence family planning decisions, leading to higher male-to-female birth ratios. Similarly, countries with emerging economies, such as Qatar at 110.98, might experience demographic shifts due to changing socio-economic structures. The Wallis and Futuna Islands, despite a decrease in sex ratio by 4.28 (3.7%), still maintain a high ratio of 111.63, suggesting persistent socio-cultural preferences for male children.

Overall, the Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2004 highlights a complex interplay of biological norms, cultural practices, and policy influences. While the average ratio remains close to natural expectations, specific countries exhibit significant deviations due to unique socio-economic and cultural factors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers and researchers analyzing population trends and planning for future demographic challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2004

Which country had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2004?

The Holy See had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2004, with 200 male/female.

What was the average sex ratio at birth across all countries in 2004?

The average sex ratio at birth across all countries in 2004 was 105 male/female.

Which country had the lowest sex ratio at birth in 2004?

Niue had the lowest sex ratio at birth in 2004, with 84.21 male/female.

What was the median sex ratio at birth in 2004?

The median sex ratio at birth in 2004 was 105 male/female.

How many countries are included in the dataset for the global average sex ratio at birth in 2004?

The dataset includes 236 countries for the global average sex ratio at birth in 2004.

Which countries were in the top 3 for the highest sex ratio at birth in 2004?

The top 3 countries with the highest sex ratio at birth in 2004 were the Holy See, China, and Armenia.

Insights by country

Botswana

Botswana ranked #195 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.4085 male/female in 2004. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a relatively balanced sex ratio at birth compared to many other countries. Contributing factors include Botswana's stable healthcare system and cultural practices that favor gender parity, as well as demographic trends shaped by urbanization and educational advancements.

Malawi

In 2004, Malawi ranked #231 globally for the Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth with a value of 99.387886 male/female. This figure is close to the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births, indicating a slight gender imbalance at birth. Factors influencing this ratio in Malawi include cultural preferences for male offspring and socioeconomic conditions that affect reproductive health services.

Saint Lucia

In 2004, Saint Lucia ranked #182 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.01391 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 104 males for every 100 females. Contributing factors to this ratio include cultural preferences for male children and the small population size, which can amplify the effects of demographic trends. Additionally, Saint Lucia's healthcare policies may influence birth outcomes and reporting practices.

Bangladesh

In 2004, Bangladesh ranked #178 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.15145 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average but reflects a significant gender imbalance compared to countries like China, which has a much higher ratio. Contributing factors include cultural preferences for male children, which can lead to sex-selective practices, as well as the country's ongoing challenges in gender equity and maternal health policies.

Congo

In 2004, Congo had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 101.601295 male/female, ranking #212 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Factors contributing to this ratio in Congo include traditional preferences for male children, which can influence family planning and reproductive choices, as well as socioeconomic conditions that affect healthcare access and maternal education.

Zimbabwe

In 2004, Zimbabwe had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 101.32108 male/female, ranking #216 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, but it is notably lower than many neighboring countries in Southern Africa, which often report higher ratios due to cultural preferences for male children.

The sex ratio in Zimbabwe can be influenced by socio-economic factors, including gender norms and historical patterns of infant mortality. Additionally, the country's economic challenges and health crises may affect family planning decisions and overall reproductive health services.

Poland

In 2004, Poland had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 105.91566 male/female, ranking #59 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, reflecting a common trend in many European nations. Factors contributing to this ratio include Poland's cultural preferences for male children and the influence of historical population policies that have shaped family planning decisions.

Gambia

In 2004, Gambia had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.36568 male/female, ranking #198 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births, indicating a relatively balanced sex ratio at birth. Contributing factors to this statistic include Gambia's cultural practices and family planning policies, which may influence gender preferences and reproductive choices.

Trinidad and Tobago

In 2004, Trinidad and Tobago ranked #152 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.71373 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, reflecting a common trend in many Caribbean nations where natural sex ratios often favor males. Contributing factors to this ratio include cultural preferences for male children and healthcare practices related to prenatal sex selection, which may be more pronounced in certain communities within the country.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom had a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 105.36965 male/female in 2004, ranking #89 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a typical preference for male children that can be observed in various cultures worldwide. Contributing factors include the UK's relatively stable socio-economic conditions and access to healthcare, which influence birth outcomes and demographic trends.

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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