A Quiet Demographic Shift: For years, the global gender discourse has focused on equality in education, employment, and politics. But concurrently, another significant change is gradually taking shape: women’s share of the population is increasing. In many countries, women now outnumber men.
This shift did not happen suddenly but has evolved gradually due to an aging population, migration, and changing lifestyles. According to 2024 population data from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the World Bank, the number of women is significantly higher than men in Eastern Europe, parts of Asia, and Southern Africa.
Europe Shows the Most Pronounced Imbalance
This imbalance is most visible in Europe. In countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, there are 116 to 118 women for every 100 men—the highest ratios in the world. The primary reasons behind this are men’s lower average life expectancy, large-scale male migration for work, and a higher proportion of women in the older population.
The situation is similar in Russia and Belarus. Meanwhile, in Western European nations like Portugal, France, and Germany, the number of women is also higher than men, although the difference is relatively smaller, primarily due to women living on average 4-6 years longer.
Clear Trends in Asia: Nepal and Hong Kong
In Nepal, a large number of men leave for employment abroad, increasing the proportion of women in the country’s population. In Hong Kong, a gender gap has persisted for years due to women’s longer life expectancy and lower survival rates among men.
The Picture in Africa and South America
In Lesotho and Namibia, it is common for men to go to work in the mines and industrial sectors of South Africa. This makes women the majority in the domestic population. In South American countries like Argentina and Uruguay, the number of women is far higher than men in the elderly age groups due to an aging population.
The Global Picture and Lasting Impact
Globally, the total number of men and women is roughly equal, with about 101 men for every 100 women. However, as age increases, this balance shifts decisively in favor of women. Especially in the 60+ age group, the number of women is significantly higher in most countries.
This demographic change has a profound impact on both society and the economy. The truth behind these statistics is that women live longer, and in many countries, they are reshaping the very structure of the population.
