Which Countries Have More Women Than Men?
The global population is almost evenly split between men and women.
But look closer and the balance changes dramatically from one
country to another.
2025 estimates based on population-by-sex data from the
United Nations Population Division and World Bank.
53.6%
In 2025, women make up about 53.6% of Russia’s population —
one of the highest female shares among larger countries.
So, which countries have more women than men?
Quite a few.
Women make up more than half of the population in many countries
and territories. The reasons are a mix of biology, life expectancy,
migration, historical events and population age structure.
Countries where women outnumber men
Here are some of the places where women account for more than
half of the total population in 2025.
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rather than the percentage difference between women and men.
Why do some countries have more women than men?
At first glance, a country’s gender ratio can look like a simple
mathematical curiosity. In reality, it can reveal a lot about
population history.
Women tend to live longer
Women generally have higher life expectancy than men.
In countries with older populations, this difference becomes
particularly visible.
An older population changes the balance
A country with a large elderly population can have considerably
more women than men because the female advantage in longevity
accumulates with age.
People move across borders
Migration can shift a country’s population balance. If one
sex is disproportionately represented among migrants, the
national ratio can change significantly.
Wars and major events matter
Large-scale historical events can leave population imbalances
that remain visible for generations.
One important detail:
Having more women overall does not necessarily mean that women
outnumber men in every age group. A country can have more boys
than girls at birth while still ending up with more women in its
total population because of differences in mortality and longevity.
A closer look at the numbers
The difference becomes easier to understand when the countries
are placed side by side.
| Country | Female share | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Moldova | 54.01% | Women are clearly the larger share |
| Russia | 53.63% | A substantial female majority |
| Latvia | 53.59% | More than 53 women per 100 people |
| Ukraine | 53.47% | Female share is significantly above 50% |
| Lithuania | 52.77% | Moderate female majority |
| Portugal | 52.37% | Slight female majority |
Does this mean there are more women everywhere?
Not necessarily.
Gender balance can vary enormously by age. Younger populations
may have relatively more males, while older populations can have
considerably more females.
That’s why a country’s overall number can hide very different
patterns underneath.
The interesting part
The global picture is much more balanced than the numbers of
individual countries might suggest.
Some countries have a noticeable female majority, while others
have substantially more men. Geography, migration, fertility,
mortality and age structure all contribute to the final picture.
In other words, there isn’t one universal “gender ratio.”
There are hundreds of different demographic stories happening
around the world at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest percentage of women?
Among the countries listed in the 2025 dataset, Moldova has
one of the highest female shares at about 54.01%. Some
territories and smaller populations can have even higher
percentages.
Does Russia have more women than men?
Yes. Women account for approximately 53.63% of Russia’s
population in the 2025 estimates.
Why do women often outnumber men in older populations?
Women generally have longer life expectancy, so the female
share tends to increase at older ages.
Does a female-majority country mean dating is easier for men?
Not necessarily. A national population ratio includes people
of every age, including children and elderly people. It cannot
be directly interpreted as the ratio of single men to single
women of dating age.
The bigger picture
Countries with more women than men are not unusual. What is
interesting is why the difference exists.
From longevity and aging populations to migration and historical
events, gender ratios are shaped by forces that go far beyond
simple birth statistics.
And as populations continue to age and move around the world,
these ratios will continue to change.
Sources & methodology
Population figures and female population shares are based on
United Nations Population Division estimates and World Bank
population data.
Source:
Our World in Data — Share of the population that is female
Additional source:
United Nations Population Data Portal