Globally, the planet has slightly more men than women. However, this distribution varies considerably from country to country. Out of the 233 countries and territories in the world, 77 have populations that are more male-dominated. How can this phenomenon be explained? Why do some countries have many more men than women? Why do others show the opposite?
42 million more men than women
The male-to-female ratio is nearly balanced on a global scale, with a slight male majority. There are between 101 and 102 men for every 100 women, i.e., 50.4% men and 49.6% women. It is also true that naturally more boys are born than girls, roughly 105 boys for every 100 girls. By contrast, mortality is higher among men, and their life expectancy is lower. Globally, only 33% of the 233 countries and territories covered in the document have populations with more men. Nevertheless, the world population as a whole still accounts for approximately 42 million more men than women.
While the world as a whole seems fairly balanced, there are disparities between countries, with sometimes very large gaps. On July 13, 2026, the media Visual Capitalist published a map illustrating these disparities (see below), a document built using data from the independent World Population Review platform.
The Gulf countries have the most atypical profiles
Far ahead of all other nations, we find Qatar. This country counts 243.7 men for every 100 women, meaning men make up nearly 73% of the population. Following are other Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates (175/100), the Sultanate of Oman (166.5/100), Bahrain (163.2/100), Kuwait (156.5/100), and Saudi Arabia (152/100). In Qatar, native citizens account for only 12% of the population. Indeed, 88% of the population are expatriate workers and almost exclusively male. It should be noted that Qatar has been and continues to undertake massive infrastructure projects and recruits heavily for its industries (oil and gas). Moreover, the other countries mentioned above show profiles fairly similar to that of Qatar.
Among the other countries where men are more numerous, India (106.4/100) and China (103.6/100) can be cited, the two most populous nations in the world. Although their ratios do not appear extremely unbalanced, their enormous populations amplify the gap. It should be noted that India alone exhibits a male surplus of more than 40 million, the most pronounced gap in the world. In China, the One-Child Policy practiced from 1979 to 2015 and the traditional cultural preference for boys have led the country to today exhibit a male surplus only slightly lower—between 30 and 35 million.
Countries with a strong female majority
While there are countries where men are far more numerous than women, the opposite exists as well. Russia and Ukraine, with respectively 86.4 and 87.1 men per 100 women, are striking examples. The causes include higher male mortality, shorter life expectancy for men, as well as historical losses from wars and deaths related to alcohol consumption. Other Eastern European countries are in similar situations, notably Moldova, Armenia, Latvia, Belarus, as well as Georgia and Lithuania, with fewer than 90 men per 100 women. Among other countries with a comparable deficit of men, Portugal (90.9/100), Zimbabwe (91.4/100), Sri Lanka (93.7), or France (94.1/100) can be cited.
Obviously, the map is a snapshot and not a permanent reality. It should be noted that countries experiencing rapid immigration, aging populations, conflicts or significant advances in healthcare can see their male/female ratio change from one generation to the next in a substantial way.
