What is the ratio of males to females on the planet?

What is the ratio of males to females on the planet?

For humans, the male to female ratio is slightly biased. This is influenced by a whole range of factors and changes as you move through the generations.

Luis Villazon

Asked by: Jacob Hackett, Swadlincote

Males have slightly higher mortality rates for subtle genetic reasons as well as war and occupational hazards. To offset this, we have evolved a slight male bias of 110 boys born for every 100 girls. This gap gradually narrows as you move up through the age groups to reach a 1:1 ratio around reproductive age. The ratio of men then continues to fall to around 79:100 after age 65.

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Luis Villazon

Q&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
What is the ratio of males to females on the planet? © Getty Images

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