Countries Where Women Are More Than Men

Introduction

A Surprising Demographic Shift
Globally, the balance of men and women varies, but in some nations, women outnumber men by a significant margin—challenging common assumptions about population dynamics. As societies evolve, so do the forces shaping these imbalances, from migration and healthcare to educational attainment and cultural trends.
The Underlying Forces Behind Gender Imbalances
In countries where women are predominant, this demographic tilt often stems from deeper socioeconomic and policy factors. High female life expectancy, male emigration, and shifting birth rates are chief among the drivers, each creating a ripple effect that influences everything from labor markets to social welfare systems.
Why This Matters for Policy and Society
An increased female population reshapes the national conversation on gender equity and resource allocation. From workforce participation to healthcare provision, understanding where and why women outnumber men provides insight into broader trends in gender relations, economic development, and public policy.

1- Longevity Advantage: The Life Expectancy Gap

In many countries, women live longer than men—a well‑documented phenomenon examined in demographic research. This longevity gap often results in older age cohorts being skewed female. For example, Japan, Italy, and Germany exhibit higher proportions of women among elderly populations due to female life expectancy routinely exceeding that of men by several years.

This demographic pattern has significant implications for pension systems, eldercare infrastructure, and health‑care planning. As scholars such as Anne Case and Angus Deaton note in Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century, longer female lifespans require policy reforms that address the specific needs of aging women, including chronic‑disease management and social inclusion.

2- Male Emigration and Female-Dominated Populations

Some nations experience a scarcity of men owing to male outmigration for work or education. Places such as the Philippines and Moldova illustrate this trend: many working‑age males migrate abroad, leaving a predominantly female population behind. This shift affects not only household structures but also community cohesion and gender dynamics.

Research in migration studies, like Hein de Haas’s Migration Theory, highlights how male migration reshapes gender roles at home. With women assuming greater responsibility in agriculture or local businesses, these changes also open new conversations about gender equity and rural development strategies.

3- Gender-Biased Birth Policies and Natural Sex Ratios

While many nations have sex‑ratio imbalances at birth favoring boys, others see more girls survive into adulthood due to cultural, environmental, or policy‑driven factors. Sweden, Norway, and Iceland often present more balanced or even female‑biased populations due to progressive health and welfare systems that support newborn girls equally.

In Our Babies, Ourselves, anthropologist Meredith Small underscores how social policies—maternity leave, universal healthcare, gender‑neutral education—can contribute to more balanced gender ratios over time. The result is societies where women can thrive from infancy to old age.

4- Higher Female Educational Attainment

In multiple developed countries, women have surpassed men in tertiary enrollment and graduation rates. Nations like Canada, the UK, and Poland showcase female majority in universities, which filters into their demographic profiles as educated young adults.

Such educational dominance reshapes labor markets, leadership pipelines, and societal values around gender. UNESCO researchers argue that higher female education correlates with lower fertility rates and slower population growth—trends that also alter gender ratios across age brackets.

5- Healthcare Access and Gender-Specific Outcomes

Effective healthcare systems can disproportionately benefit women, especially when they include strong maternal, reproductive, and preventive services. Countries like Finland and Sweden—renowned for equitable health systems—see female survival rates surpassing men’s, extending beyond childbirth into overall wellness and longevity.

Medical sociologist Nancy Krieger emphasizes in Epidemiology and the People’s Health that gender‑sensitive health interventions can drastically reduce mortality from chronic diseases. As a result, healthcare‑rich nations often reflect more pronounced female majorities in later life stages.

6- Cultural Emigration Patterns

Cultural norms and religious practices sometimes encourage men to seek employment or education overseas, resulting in temporary or permanent male absence. For instance, in some Middle Eastern nations, the male labor force often works abroad, leaving behind predominantly female households.

This dynamic influences local economies, consumption patterns, and social services. Comparative studies in journals like International Migration Review note that female‑led households arising from male emigration often challenge traditional gender norms and require tailored social support programs.

7- Post-Conflict Male Mortality

Countries recovering from civil wars or global conflicts may have sustained higher male mortality rates during turmoil. Historical examples include post‑WWII Eastern European countries where male deaths greatly exceeded female ones, leading to long‑term female‑dominant demographics.

Historians like Jay Winter, in Sites of Memory, analyze post‑war gender ratios and underscore that rebuilding efforts must accommodate the needs of widow‑led households and female veterans, reflecting the enduring demographic legacies of conflict.

8- Occupational Hazards and Male Mortality

In industrial or mining nations, male workers often face dangerous job conditions that elevate mortality rates. For instance, countries with a large male workforce in heavy industry—like Russia or Ukraine—see disproportionate job‑related fatalities among men.

Occupational health expert Irving Zola highlights in Missing Pieces in Sociology that job safety disparities contribute to gendered life expectancy differences. Addressing hazardous workplaces is essential to narrowing these demographic gaps.

9- HIV/AIDS and Gendered Health Crises

In regions severely impacted by HIV/AIDS, such as parts of southern Africa, adult male mortality has been disproportionately high, partly due to lower healthcare engagement among men. Consequently, several countries report female‑dominated demographics, particularly in the adult age group.

Public health research in The Lancet emphasizes gender‑targeted interventions to reduce AIDS‑related male deaths—a necessary step toward more balanced societies and equitable resource planning.

10- Environmental and Occupational Migration

Climate‑induced displacement often compels men to migrate and provide for families, especially in agrarian societies. Bangladesh and parts of Southeast Asia see this dynamic in play, where young men move to cities or abroad, leaving rural villages with female‑heavy populations.

Environmental sociologists in Climate Migration and Global Equity argue that this shift not only impacts sex ratios but also questions about land rights, inheritance, and political representation in female‑dominated communities.

11- Urbanization Trends and Female Preference

Urban centers often attract young women seeking better education and employment opportunities, tilting city populations female. Examples include Manila and São Paulo, where female internal migration to urban economies outpaces that of men.

Urban planning experts note that such trends call for gender‑responsive infrastructure—public safety, healthcare, childcare—underscoring the importance of inclusive urban design in female‑heavy cities.

12- Refugee Movements and Gender Disparities

Conflict‑driven refugee flows sometimes result in uneven gender distributions among migrants. Women and children often flee first, creating female‑leaning populations either in host nations or refugee camps.

Reports by the UNHCR stress the importance of gender‑sensitive humanitarian aid—health services, education, psychosocial care—for displaced women in these demographic conditions.

13- Gender-Based Selective Migration for Education

Countries with strong domestic education systems may see men studying abroad more frequently, while women remain at home. This selective outflow—observed in countries like India and China—can temporarily boost domestic female populations.

Education economists in Higher Education and Inequality note that such patterns influence not only national gender ratios but also remittance flows and cross‑border gender norms.

14- Public Policy Incentives Encouraging Female Retention

Some governments implement policies to attract or retain female residents—ranging from childcare subsidies to targeted employment programs. Estonia and Iceland, for instance, offer generous parental leave and gender‑equity incentives that help maintain stronger female demographics.

Public policy analysts in OECD reports affirm that such welfare‑state mechanisms can reduce female emigration and strengthen demographic balance through sustainable gender‑inclusive development.

15- Differential Voting Migration

Migratory patterns driven by political participation—such as women relocating to exercise voting rights or civic engagement—affect gender ratios. U.S. internal shifts post‑2020 election highlighted this in certain swing states.

Political scientists note in Migration and Democracy that gendered political migrations can alter local electorates and social service needs, reflecting broader democratic dynamics.

16- Retirement Migration to Women-Friendlier Climates

In some developed nations, older women retire in large numbers to regions with better healthcare, social amenities, or cost-of-living conditions. Coastal Spain and parts of Portugal, for example, have communities populated overwhelmingly by retired women.

Gerontologists in Aging and Society emphasize that such migrations reshape local economy and healthcare provisioning, necessitating gender‑sensitive urban planning for female seniors.

17- Gendered Income Inequality and Internal Mobility

In places where economic opportunities are more favorable for women—such as ICT hubs—men may move elsewhere, leaving behind female‑dominant localities. Eastern European tech centers sometimes observe this phenomenon as men seek better opportunities abroad.

Labor economists highlight in The Geography of Jobs that these patterns influence not only wage structures but also regional gender imbalances.

18- Gendered Life-Course Migration Patterns

Life stages—like marriage or education—drive gendered migration. In some Muslim‑majority countries, women relocate to marry, resulting in female‑concentrated demographic pockets, especially in urban wedding hubs.

Sociologists discuss this in Rituals of Migration, noting that such life‑course movements reshape local social structures and demographics in meaningful ways.

19- Healthier Social Behaviors in Women

Statistically, women engage more with preventive healthcare and healthier lifestyles—lowering mortality from cardiovascular diseases or smoking. As a result, communities with strong public health outreach often show female‑tilted gender ratios.

Preventive medicine experts in Blue Zones link these behavioral patterns to longevity, further explaining why women outnumber men in healthier societies.

20- Aging Population and Widowhood Demographics

Aging societies see higher widowhood rates and female majority in advanced age cohorts. Japan and Italy exemplify this, where women compose a disproportionate share of those aged 80+.

Gerontology studies, such as those in The Longevity Economy, argue that social programs must adapt to widow‑led households, reflecting the demographic realities of an older female‑dominant population.

21- European Union

The European Union, as a political and economic bloc, exhibits a gender imbalance in favor of women, particularly in member states with high life expectancy and developed welfare systems. Nations such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are striking examples, where women significantly outnumber men, especially in the older age brackets.

Eurostat data reveals that in several EU countries, women make up over 52% of the total population. This is attributed not only to longevity but also to lower male survival rates linked to lifestyle diseases and occupational hazards. Books such as Demography and the European Union provide deeper insights into how EU policies are responding to these gender shifts through healthcare, social protections, and gender-sensitive urban design.

22- Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa presents a more complex gender demographic. While men slightly outnumber women at birth, the impact of conflict, disease (especially HIV/AIDS), and male labor migration leads to many communities having more women, particularly among adults.

UN data indicates countries like Lesotho and Namibia show higher female populations due to both male mortality and emigration. Health experts such as Paul Farmer in Pathologies of Power emphasize how poverty and systemic health inequities disproportionately affect male survival, thereby shaping a more female-weighted society.

23- Exceptions

There are notable exceptions to the global trend, such as countries in South Asia and the Caucasus region, where cultural preferences and selective birth practices skew the population toward males. India and China, for instance, show a persistent gender imbalance at birth despite efforts to reverse this trend.

These anomalies are discussed extensively in Unnatural Selection by Mara Hvistendahl, who explores how technology and cultural norms intersect to create gender imbalances. These exceptions stand in contrast to countries where women’s longer lifespans naturally tilt the ratio in their favor.

24- Asia

Asia displays a highly varied gender landscape. While East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have more women due to high female longevity, South and Central Asian nations often exhibit male-biased ratios driven by sex-selective practices and sociocultural norms.

Asian Development Bank reports highlight how female educational and healthcare access has gradually improved in many regions, contributing to a narrowing gender gap. However, cultural son preference remains a significant demographic influence in parts of Asia, as detailed in Missing Women and the Feminization of Poverty by Amartya Sen.

25- North America

North America, particularly the United States and Canada, shows a modest but steady female majority. Women tend to live longer and are more proactive in healthcare management. Moreover, higher female university enrollment reinforces demographic prominence among young adults.

The U.S. Census Bureau notes that women make up about 50.8% of the population. Health statistics and behavioral science, like those found in The Gendered Brain by Gina Rippon, explain that gendered health decisions significantly impact survival rates, especially in aging populations.

26- Latin America

Many Latin American nations, such as Argentina, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic, also report female-majority populations, particularly in urban areas. Female life expectancy and lower exposure to risky behavior are major factors.

Economic instability has also led to male emigration in search of work, leaving behind women to manage households and participate more heavily in local economies. This dynamic is covered in Migration and Remittances Factbook by the World Bank, which outlines the shifting demographic structures in the region.

27- Oceania

In Oceania, demographic patterns vary. Australia and New Zealand have relatively balanced gender ratios, but in Pacific island nations like Tonga and Samoa, male outmigration for employment has resulted in female-majority local populations.

Social anthropologists writing in Gender and Development in the Pacific explore how women’s roles have expanded in governance and agriculture due to demographic gender gaps, reshaping traditional gender norms and expectations.

28- Middle East

Middle Eastern demographics are heavily influenced by labor migration policies. In countries like Qatar and the UAE, male migrant workers far outnumber females, creating extreme male-majority populations. However, in traditional rural settings, where male outmigration is common, women may locally outnumber men.

Scholars such as Nadje Al-Ali in Gender, Politics and Islam examine how these migratory patterns both reinforce and challenge gender roles across the region, particularly in the context of women’s empowerment and education.

29- War and migration

Armed conflict often accelerates male mortality and leads to mass male migration, creating female-dominated post-conflict societies. Bosnia, Rwanda, and Syria are examples where women took on new societal roles after war decimated male populations.

The book Women and War by Jean Bethke Elshtain explores how conflict alters gender demographics and power structures, making post-war gender equity policies crucial for societal rebuilding.

30- Selective birthing

Sex-selective abortion and gender preference in childbirth have skewed populations in countries like China and India. This practice has long-term demographic consequences, including surplus males and challenges in marriage markets.

UNFPA reports underscore that addressing selective birthing requires systemic cultural shifts and legal enforcement. Academic work such as Population Policies and Reproductive Rights by Jyoti Shankar Singh details the consequences of these practices on national gender ratios.

31- Serbia

Serbia exhibits a female-majority population, especially in older age groups. The Balkan wars and high male mortality rates, combined with migration and aging, have contributed to this gender imbalance.

Serbian statistical data reflects that women compose nearly 52% of the population. Studies in Balkan demographic journals attribute this to war-related deaths and persistent male health issues, requiring gender-focused policy adjustments.

32- Life expectancy

Life expectancy remains one of the most crucial factors contributing to female-dominant populations globally. In nearly every region, women live longer due to genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

WHO data confirms that women live 5–7 years longer than men on average in many nations. This longevity is examined in works like Why Women Live Longer by Steven Austad, offering biological and sociological explanations for this persistent trend.

33- Tonga

In Tonga, male emigration to New Zealand and Australia for employment opportunities has led to a female-majority local population. Women have increasingly taken on leadership roles in communities and households.

Tongan sociological studies note that this shift has influenced gender norms, with more women participating in education and local governance. Such trends highlight the role of economic migration in demographic change.

34- Gender equality issues

Gender equality remains both a cause and consequence of demographic imbalances. In nations with better gender parity, women are more visible in public, educational, and economic life, often correlating with higher female survival and representation.

The Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum provides evidence that gender-equitable societies tend to exhibit better health and life expectancy for women, reinforcing demographic trends.

35- Lithuania

Lithuania stands out with one of the highest female-to-male ratios in Europe. A combination of high male mortality from alcohol-related diseases and female longevity contributes to this imbalance.

Demographers point to lifestyle factors and social stress as contributing causes. According to Health and Mortality in Eastern Europe, Lithuania’s gender imbalance necessitates tailored public health and employment strategies.

36- Discrepancies

Gender discrepancies in population often mask deeper inequalities in income, healthcare, and social mobility. High female population does not always mean gender empowerment.

Amartya Sen’s concept of “missing women” applies in reverse here—suggesting that demographic prominence should be accompanied by equal opportunity. This requires continual policy attention to education, safety, and economic access.

37- Refugees in Lithuania

Lithuania has received a significant number of female refugees from Ukraine and Belarus, contributing to localized female-majority populations in camps and urban settlements.

Refugee studies, including those from the UNHCR, emphasize the need for gender-sensitive resettlement programs that support women through trauma care, job placement, and social integration.

38- Belarus

Belarus has a strong female majority, particularly among seniors. Male life expectancy is notably lower due to health factors such as cardiovascular disease and alcohol consumption.

According to WHO regional data, this demographic skew places a burden on eldercare and pensions, necessitating female-focused aging policy reform and support infrastructure.

39- Income inequality

Income inequality often exacerbates gender gaps in health and education, indirectly shaping demographic trends. Women in lower-income brackets may still live longer due to healthier lifestyles, while economically stressed men face greater mortality risks.

Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century explores how economic inequality intersects with demographic and gendered outcomes, stressing the need for redistribution policies.

40- Georgia

Georgia’s demographic pattern shows a higher female population due to both male emigration and health disparities. Rural regions especially experience a vacuum of working-age men.

Cultural anthropologists studying the Caucasus region note how women have adapted by leading households, businesses, and civil society initiatives—a trend demanding policy support.

41- Factors

Numerous factors—biological, environmental, cultural, and policy-driven—converge to create female-dominated populations. These range from life expectancy and education to conflict and migration.

Understanding this requires a multidisciplinary lens, as outlined in Population and Society by Dudley Poston, which integrates sociology, demography, and public policy perspectives.

42- Ukraine

Ukraine’s population is notably female-heavy, a situation worsened by the recent war. Male casualties and displacement have magnified existing gender imbalances.

Post-conflict reconstruction literature stresses the importance of empowering women economically and politically, as discussed in Gender and Nation Building in Post-War Societies.

43- Income inequality

In regions with deep income inequality, gender demographics shift due to differential access to healthcare, education, and employment. Female resilience amid poverty often leads to demographic predominance.

This calls for intersectional policy interventions that address class and gender together, as highlighted in The Spirit Level by Wilkinson and Pickett.

44- Russia

Russia has one of the world’s most skewed gender ratios, with significantly more women than men. This is due to male health risks, alcohol consumption, and high cardiovascular mortality.

Scholars like Nicholas Eberstadt in Russia’s Peacetime Demographic Crisis detail how this demographic challenge influences social policy, family structure, and labor force composition.

45- Disease prevalence

Disease prevalence, especially among men, is a driving force in gender imbalances. In many Eastern European countries, chronic disease rates among men surpass women’s, causing premature male mortality.

Health policy scholars urge gender-sensitive preventive programs that target lifestyle and workplace risks for men, which would rebalance long-term demographic trends.

46- Armenia

Armenia experiences high male migration and relatively low male life expectancy, leading to a steady female majority. Cultural and economic conditions contribute to this imbalance.

Armenian policy briefs suggest enhancing female participation in governance and entrepreneurship as a way to adapt to this demographic reality.

47- Income inequality

Repeated across various regions, income inequality disproportionately affects male survival in low-income brackets. Women, although economically disadvantaged, often manage better health and longer lives.

Policy solutions include targeted subsidies, universal healthcare, and labor protections to mitigate the gendered effects of income inequality.

48- Latvia

Latvia has one of Europe’s most female-dominated populations. With over 54% of the population being women, the causes include male mortality and aging.

Government reports indicate the need for eldercare services and women-focused pension reforms. Demographers argue that Latvia must prepare for a feminized aging population.

49- Health choices

Men globally are less likely to seek preventive care, contributing to higher mortality rates. Women’s better health choices explain much of the life expectancy gap.

Books like Why Men Die First by Marianne Legato detail behavioral and physiological differences influencing gender health outcomes.

50- Moldova

Moldova sees substantial male emigration to Russia and the EU, leaving a largely female population at home. This dynamic affects rural economies and family structures.

Scholarly works on Eastern European labor migration emphasize how gendered mobility shapes demographic and social trends, necessitating new family and economic policies.

Conclusion

The global landscape of gender demographics is shaped by an intricate web of factors—from biology and behavior to war and welfare. Countries where women outnumber men offer insights into aging, health, migration, and equality that transcend mere statistics. While some patterns repeat across regions, others are uniquely shaped by cultural and political histories.

As we face unprecedented demographic challenges, understanding the nuances behind gender imbalances can inform smarter, fairer policies. Scholars, policymakers, and citizens must work together to ensure that wherever women are more than men, their presence leads not to marginalization but to meaningful inclusion, leadership, and equity.

In countries where women outnumber men, demographic trends are rarely coincidental—they reflect complex interplays of health, migration, education, and policy. From longevity and labor migration to social norms and urban migration, each factor weaves together to form a gendered demographic tapestry.

Understanding these patterns not only helps scholars and policymakers craft gender‑responsive interventions but also invites us to rethink societal structures—labor markets, healthcare, urban planning—from a more inclusive perspective. Studying these dynamics through resources like Our Babies, Ourselves, Migration Theory, and Aging and Society offers deeper insight into how gender and demography shape our world.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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