Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth 2022

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•

View data for:

Interactive Map

Loading interactive map...

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba	118.248 male/female
2	Liechtenstein	116.374 male/female
3	Northern Mariana Islands	115.436 male/female
4	Andorra	114.356 male/female
5	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	112.963 male/female
6	Tuvalu	112.381 male/female
7	Azerbaijan	112.045 male/female
8	Vietnam	111.021 male/female
9	China	110.415 male/female
10	Tonga	107.897 male/female
11	Uzbekistan	107.766 male/female
12	Brunei Darussalam	107.736 male/female
13	China, Hong Kong SAR	107.706 male/female
14	North Macedonia	107.652 male/female
15	China, Macao SAR	107.638 male/female
16	India	107.498 male/female
17	Philippines	107.492 male/female
18	Samoa	107.409 male/female
19	Palau	107.368 male/female
20	Albania	107.286 male/female
21	Montenegro	107.186 male/female
22	Cuba	107.129 male/female
23	Papua New Guinea	107.125 male/female
24	Malta	107.085 male/female
25	Armenia	107.065 male/female
26	Maldives	106.944 male/female
27	Guam	106.872 male/female
28	Taiwan	106.832 male/female
29	Vanuatu	106.774 male/female
30	Bosnia and Herzegovina	106.697 male/female
31	Fiji	106.686 male/female
32	Solomon Islands	106.679 male/female
33	Marshall Islands	106.651 male/female
34	Nauru	106.623 male/female
35	Faroe Islands	106.587 male/female
36	Georgia	106.559 male/female
37	Greece	106.463 male/female
38	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	106.449 male/female
39	Cyprus	106.432 male/female
40	Latvia	106.409 male/female
41	Malaysia	106.399 male/female
42	Slovenia	106.341 male/female
43	Kiribati	106.339 male/female
44	Cook Islands	106.316 male/female
45	Ukraine	106.275 male/female
46	Kazakhstan	106.269 male/female
47	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	106.25 male/female
48	Wallis and Futuna Islands	106.25 male/female
49	Thailand	106.233 male/female
50	Spain	106.193 male/female
51	Republic of Moldova	106.033 male/female
52	Iceland	106.015 male/female
53	Myanmar	106.006 male/female
54	Turkmenistan	105.972 male/female
55	Estonia	105.966 male/female
56	Gibraltar	105.936 male/female
57	Poland	105.913 male/female
58	Denmark	105.908 male/female
59	Croatia	105.898 male/female
60	French Polynesia	105.863 male/female
61	Italy	105.845 male/female
62	American Samoa	105.801 male/female
63	Belarus	105.798 male/female
64	Kyrgyzstan	105.797 male/female
65	Hungary	105.734 male/female
66	South Korea	105.718 male/female
67	New Caledonia	105.702 male/female
68	Indonesia	105.663 male/female
69	North Korea	105.641 male/female
70	Australia	105.635 male/female
71	Tajikistan	105.625 male/female
72	Russia	105.617 male/female
73	Libya	105.54 male/female
74	Bulgaria	105.534 male/female
75	Germany	105.512 male/female
76	Ireland	105.47 male/female
77	Senegal	105.454 male/female
78	Timor-Leste	105.443 male/female
79	Austria	105.429 male/female
80	Uruguay	105.393 male/female
81	United Kingdom	105.384 male/female
82	Romania	105.379 male/female
83	Sweden	105.346 male/female
84	Israel	105.346 male/female
85	Slovakia	105.332 male/female
86	Portugal	105.322 male/female
87	Yemen	105.318 male/female
88	Panama	105.311 male/female
89	Iraq	105.264 male/female
90	Canada	105.253 male/female
91	Jersey	105.251 male/female
92	Qatar	105.218 male/female
93	New Zealand	105.218 male/female
94	Iran	105.207 male/female
95	Egypt	105.163 male/female
96	Seychelles	105.155 male/female
97	Puerto Rico	105.144 male/female
98	Switzerland	105.123 male/female
99	Tunisia	105.092 male/female
100	Japan	105.086 male/female
101	Lebanon	105.08 male/female
102	Norway	105.079 male/female
103	Venezuela	105.052 male/female
104	Netherlands	105.005 male/female
105	Saint Helena	105 male/female
106	Argentina	105 male/female
107	Lithuania	104.931 male/female
108	Belize	104.889 male/female
109	State of Palestine	104.854 male/female
110	Greenland	104.847 male/female
111	Turks and Caicos Islands	104.839 male/female
112	Pakistan	104.838 male/female
113	Honduras	104.823 male/female
114	Syrian Arab Republic	104.803 male/female
115	Czech Republic	104.784 male/female
116	Cambodia	104.771 male/female
117	Ethiopia	104.766 male/female
118	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	104.762 male/female
119	Monaco	104.762 male/female
120	France	104.757 male/female
121	United States	104.722 male/female
122	Paraguay	104.721 male/female
123	Bangladesh	104.688 male/female
124	Nepal	104.644 male/female
125	Laos	104.641 male/female
126	Belgium	104.639 male/female
127	Jordan	104.634 male/female
128	El Salvador	104.628 male/female
129	United Arab Emirates	104.602 male/female
130	Saudi Arabia	104.601 male/female
131	Turkey	104.578 male/female
132	Afghanistan	104.555 male/female
133	Finland	104.542 male/female
134	Anguilla	104.478 male/female
135	Western Sahara	104.477 male/female
136	British Virgin Islands	104.459 male/female
137	Curaçao	104.458 male/female
138	Bhutan	104.434 male/female
139	Ecuador	104.425 male/female
140	Saint Barthélemy	104.412 male/female
141	Singapore	104.395 male/female
142	Aruba	104.365 male/female
143	Morocco	104.363 male/female
144	Costa Rica	104.359 male/female
145	Mongolia	104.331 male/female
146	Colombia	104.3 male/female
147	Algeria	104.278 male/female
148	French Guiana	104.265 male/female
149	Sri Lanka	104.261 male/female
150	Brazil	104.198 male/female
151	Chile	104.158 male/female
152	Mayotte	104.088 male/female
153	Serbia	103.948 male/female
154	Dominican Republic	103.858 male/female
155	Bermuda	103.831 male/female
156	Peru	103.831 male/female
157	Oman	103.801 male/female
158	Trinidad and Tobago	103.762 male/female
159	United States Virgin Islands	103.742 male/female
160	Bolivia	103.729 male/female
161	Suriname	103.723 male/female
162	Somalia	103.703 male/female
163	Bahrain	103.683 male/female
164	Grenada	103.666 male/female
165	Mexico	103.656 male/female
166	Guinea	103.644 male/female
167	Saint Kitts and Nevis	103.636 male/female
168	Jamaica	103.569 male/female
169	Burkina Faso	103.559 male/female
170	Sudan	103.505 male/female
171	Niger	103.491 male/female
172	Kuwait	103.49 male/female
173	Guatemala	103.453 male/female
174	Cayman Islands	103.417 male/female
175	Chad	103.379 male/female
176	Benin	103.375 male/female
177	Luxembourg	103.373 male/female
178	Barbados	103.355 male/female
179	Togo	103.303 male/female
180	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	103.247 male/female
181	Madagascar	103.228 male/female
182	Guadeloupe	103.203 male/female
183	Nicaragua	103.202 male/female
184	Ghana	103.197 male/female
185	Guinea-Bissau	103.162 male/female
186	Djibouti	103.122 male/female
187	Guyana	103.118 male/female
188	Antigua and Barbuda	103.108 male/female
189	Nigeria	103.075 male/female
190	Cabo Verde	103.074 male/female
191	Dominica	103.064 male/female
192	South Sudan	102.94 male/female
193	Isle of Man	102.933 male/female
194	Liberia	102.93 male/female
195	Saint Lucia	102.903 male/female
196	Mauritania	102.659 male/female
197	Comoros	102.621 male/female
198	Bahamas	102.619 male/female
199	Sao Tome and Principe	102.585 male/female
200	Mali	102.581 male/female
201	Eritrea	102.581 male/female
202	Gambia	102.565 male/female
203	Tanzania	102.413 male/female
204	Haiti	102.341 male/female
205	Sierra Leone	102.315 male/female
206	Cameroon	102.266 male/female
207	Eswatini	102.247 male/female
208	Equatorial Guinea	102.235 male/female
209	Uganda	102.23 male/female
210	Saint Martin (French part)	102.174 male/female
211	Rwanda	102.155 male/female
212	Botswana	102.041 male/female
213	Congo	102.024 male/female
214	Côte d'Ivoire	101.927 male/female
215	Burundi	101.904 male/female
216	Angola	101.802 male/female
217	Lesotho	101.787 male/female
218	Zimbabwe	101.745 male/female
219	South Africa	101.696 male/female
220	Réunion	101.688 male/female
221	Central African Republic	101.632 male/female
222	Gabon	101.514 male/female
223	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	101.512 male/female
224	Kenya	101.502 male/female
225	Mozambique	101.221 male/female
226	Guernsey	101.176 male/female
227	Namibia	100.742 male/female
228	Malawi	100.742 male/female
229	Zambia	100.387 male/female
230	Martinique	100.203 male/female
231	Tokelau	100 male/female
232	Holy See	100 male/female
233	San Marino	97.297 male/female
234	Mauritius	97.278 male/female
235	Montserrat	96 male/female
236	Niue	92.308 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 2022, the Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth was led by Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba with a ratio of 118.25 males per 100 females, reflecting the highest value globally. The worldwide range spanned from a minimum of 102.58 to this maximum. The global average sex ratio at birth stood at 105.41, providing a benchmark for understanding variations across different regions and countries.

Understanding the Global Range in Sex Ratios

The sex ratio at birth, naturally hovering around 105 males for every 100 females, can vary due to several factors including cultural, economic, and policy influences. In 2022, the data reveals significant deviations from the natural baseline in some countries. For instance, Liechtenstein and the Northern Mariana Islands reported high ratios of 116.37 and 115.44 respectively, suggesting potential socio-cultural influences or demographic policies that favor male births.

Conversely, countries such as Mali and Sao Tome and Principe exhibited lower ratios, both near 102.58. These figures align more closely with natural biological expectations, indicating fewer distortions from external influences. The presence of a lower sex ratio in these regions could be attributed to limited technological intervention in birth processes and a cultural equilibrium with no gender preference.

Economic and Cultural Influences

Economic factors often play a critical role in shaping the sex ratio at birth. In countries with strong industrial and economic growth, such as China with a ratio of 110.41, there is often a preference for male children due to historical and economic reasons. This is reflected in the data, where economic powerhouses or regions with significant gender preference practices show higher ratios.

On the contrary, smaller island nations like Tonga with a ratio of 107.90 demonstrate how isolated communities may still hold traditional values that influence gender preference. Here, cultural norms and economic necessities do not necessitate a significant deviation from the natural sex ratio.

Year-over-Year Trends and Movements

The year-over-year analysis reveals intriguing trends. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba saw the most significant increase in sex ratio by 7.80 (7.1%), suggesting a potential shift in demographic policies or reporting changes. Similarly, regions like China, Macao SAR and Wallis and Futuna Islands experienced increases of 3.43 and 2.40 respectively, pointing towards evolving social dynamics or health policies.

Conversely, Saint Helena recorded a drastic decrease of 16.05 (-13.3%), alongside Sint Maarten (Dutch part) and Andorra with reductions of 10.61 and 5.50. These dramatic shifts could indicate changes in population reporting, adjustments in policy, or a return to more natural sex ratios due to cultural shifts away from previous gender preferences.

Significance and Implications

The variations in the sex ratio at birth have profound implications for future demographic trends and societal structures. High sex ratios in countries like Azerbaijan and Vietnam can lead to imbalances in the adult population, affecting marriage patterns and social stability. Conversely, more balanced ratios in places like Bahamas and Dominica may contribute to more stable demographic trends.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for policymakers aiming to address potential societal challenges arising from skewed sex ratios. It highlights the need for interventions in regions with significant deviations to ensure gender balance and social harmony in the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth in 2022

Which country had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2022?

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba had the highest sex ratio at birth in 2022 with 118 male/female.

What was the lowest sex ratio at birth in 2022?

The lowest sex ratio at birth in 2022 was in Niue, with 92.31 male/female.

What was the average sex ratio at birth globally in 2022?

The average global sex ratio at birth in 2022 was 105 male/female.

What was the median sex ratio at birth among countries in 2022?

The median sex ratio at birth among countries in 2022 was 105 male/female.

Which countries were in the top 3 for sex ratio at birth in 2022?

The top 3 countries for sex ratio at birth in 2022 were Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (118 male/female), Liechtenstein (116 male/female), and Northern Mariana Islands (115 male/female).

How many countries were included in the dataset for the global average sex ratio at birth in 2022?

The dataset for the global average sex ratio at birth in 2022 included 236 countries.

Insights by country

Honduras

In 2022, Honduras ranked #113 globally with a sex ratio at birth of 104.82313 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a typical preference for male children in the region. Contributing factors include cultural norms that favor male heirs and socio-economic conditions that influence family planning and gender roles.

Malta

In 2022, Malta achieved a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 107.08473 male/female, ranking #24 out of 236 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, which typically hovers around 105 male births for every 100 female births. Contributing factors to Malta's sex ratio include its stable healthcare system and cultural norms that favor balanced gender ratios, reflecting a commitment to gender equality in family planning and reproductive health.

Georgia

In 2022, Georgia ranked #36 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 106.55928 male/female. This figure is above the global average, reflecting a broader trend seen in several countries in the region. Contributing factors include cultural preferences for male children and historical practices that influence family planning and reproductive choices within Georgian society.

Myanmar

In 2022, Myanmar ranked #53 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 106.00558 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a preference for male children that is common in several Asian countries. Contributing factors include cultural norms that value male heirs for lineage and economic support, as well as the impact of historical conflicts on demographic trends.

Luxembourg

In 2022, Luxembourg ranked #177 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.37253 male/female. This figure is higher than the global average, reflecting a common trend in developed countries where natural sex ratios slightly favor males. Contributing factors include Luxembourg's high standard of living, which influences family planning and gender preferences, as well as its diverse population dynamics due to immigration.

Antigua and Barbuda

In 2022, Antigua and Barbuda ranked #188 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.107864 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average but lower than many Caribbean neighbors, indicating a relatively balanced birth ratio. Contributing factors include the country's healthcare policies and cultural practices surrounding family planning and gender preferences.

Malawi

In 2022, Malawi ranked #228 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 100.741875 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, but it places Malawi near the bottom of the ranking, reflecting a trend seen in several neighboring countries in the region.

Factors contributing to this statistic include cultural preferences for male children, along with socioeconomic conditions that influence family planning and reproductive health policies. Additionally, limited access to healthcare services can affect sex ratio outcomes at birth in Malawi.

Oman

In 2022, Oman ranked #157 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 103.80096 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, reflecting trends seen in several Gulf Cooperation Council countries where a preference for male children can influence birth ratios. Economic factors, including the country's wealth and access to healthcare, alongside cultural norms, contribute to this skewed ratio, as families often prioritize male offspring for social and economic reasons.

Mauritania

Mauritania ranks #196 globally with a Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth of 102.65879 male/female in 2022. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a natural tendency towards a higher male birth ratio, which is common in many regions. Contributing factors include cultural preferences for male children and socio-economic dynamics that influence family planning and gender roles within Mauritanian society.

Paraguay

In 2022, Paraguay ranked #122 globally with a sex ratio at birth of 104.721054 male/female. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a common trend in many Latin American countries where a higher number of male births is observed. Contributing factors include cultural preferences for male children and socio-economic conditions that influence family planning and gender dynamics in the region.

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.

Visit Data Source

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.

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

More People and Society Facts

Currently married (Percent)

The percentage of currently married individuals by country highlights societal trends in family structure and relationships. Understanding these statistics can provide insights into cultural norms and demographic shifts, influencing policies and social programs.

View data

Browse All People and Society

Explore more facts and statistics in this category

All Categories

Discover more categories with comprehensive global data