Worldwide male and female headcounts show about 42.3 million more men than women, creating a global sex ratio of 101 to 100.
That global picture leans male largely because of a few very large populations. Individual countries tell a different story, however, with several nations in Eastern Europe showing a wide gap in the opposite direction.
Latvia holds the widest gap in Europe. Data released by Eurostat on May 20, 2025, revealed that the disparity between male and female proportions exceeded that of any other European nation, with the country documenting a female population 15.5% larger than its male population.
Part of that imbalance comes down to survival rates. One estimate places Latvian women’s life expectancy at 79.6 years compared to 70.1 years for men, while population declines since 1990 stem from low birth rates, high death rates, and heavy emigration.
Lithuania shows a stark female majority
Lithuania follows close behind its neighbor with a stark female majority. Reporting from the Latvian public broadcaster LSM said that Lithuania had 14% more women than men in 2021, marking the second-highest rate in the European Union. A subsequent 2026 ranking of sex ratios lists the country at 89.6 males per 100 females.
The Lithuanian gap mirrors the same life expectancy divide found across the region, where women live to about 81 years and men reach close to 71. Russia represents the largest imbalance by raw numbers, with a 2025 tally finding 10.4 million more females than males.
Statista notes that Russian women outlive men by almost 10 years on average. In the population aged 65 and over, women outnumber men by more than 2 to 1 due to higher male mortality driven by health and lifestyle factors.
Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova Ratios
Ukraine also maintains a pronounced female majority. A 2025 comparison found women outnumbering men by about 2.66 million, though ongoing conflict since 2022 makes current estimates approximate. Economic migration has historically reduced the working-age male population as men seek employment abroad.
Based on 2023 figures, Belarus calculates a ratio of 87 males per 100 females, with women making up roughly 53.48% of the country’s residents. Moldova shows similar numbers, though specific ratios vary depending on whether the data comes from a census or a UN model.
Across these six countries, most estimates settle between 85 and 90 men for every 100 women. For comparison, the UN world estimate for 2026 projects about 105.3 boys born for every 100 girls, meaning the female majorities in Eastern Europe accumulate over a lifetime.
Eastern European Population Questions
Why do women outnumber men so heavily in Eastern Europe?
The primary drivers are a life expectancy gap where women live roughly a decade longer than men, combined with higher male mortality rates and working-age men emigrating for employment abroad.
Which European country has the widest gender gap?
Latvia holds the widest gap in Europe, recording 15.5% more women than men according to Eurostat statistics published on May 20, 2025.
How do global sex ratios compare to these regional numbers?
While the global headcount leans slightly male with 101 men for every 100 women, Eastern European nations record roughly 85 to 90 men for every 100 women.
Do different datasets change these population figures?
Yes, exact figures vary depending on the reference year, how emigrants are counted, and whether estimates derive from national censuses or UN statistical models.
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