The countries with the lowest proportions of females in their populations are Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where women make up roughly 25–35% of the total population. These extreme imbalances are driven almost entirely by large temporary migrant workforces, not by natural demographics.
Why the Global Sex Ratio Is Not 50:50
At birth, the natural sex ratio is about 105 boys for every 100 girls, a biological constant found across most human populations. Over time, that ratio gradually equalizes because male infants and young men have slightly higher mortality rates, so by adulthood the numbers are roughly even. In older age groups, women typically outnumber men due to longer life expectancy.
However, migration can dramatically skew a country’s overall sex ratio. When a nation imports hundreds of thousands of workers—almost all of them men—for construction, domestic service, or other labor-intensive industries, the resident population can become heavily male. This is precisely what has happened in several small, wealthy Gulf states.
The Gulf States: Extreme Imbalances from Labor Migration
Qatar has the lowest female share of any country, with women making up about 24–25% of the population. The United Arab Emirates follows at roughly 30%, and Bahrain is around 33%. These figures come from national censuses and UN estimates, and they reflect the enormous number of male migrant workers who live in these countries without their families.
In Qatar, for example, the massive infrastructure projects leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup attracted hundreds of thousands of male laborers from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other regions. The UAE’s economy similarly depends on male expatriates working in construction, oil and gas, finance, and logistics. These workers typically arrive alone, send remittances home, and do not bring wives or children, which is why the male share of the population is so high.
Kuwait and Oman also have significant male majorities, though less extreme than Qatar or the UAE. Saudi Arabia, the most populous Gulf state, has a female share of around 42%—still low by global standards but less skewed because its native population is larger and more balanced.
Other Countries with Low Female Proportions
Outside the Gulf, a few other countries have notably low female shares, though not as extreme. These include:
- Bhutan – women make up about 46% of the population, a figure that reflects a combination of male labor migration and a historically higher male birth ratio.
- Maldives – around 46% female, again due to male migrant workers in the tourism and fishing industries.
- India – about 48% female, a result of sex-selective abortion and higher female mortality in childhood, though the ratio has been improving in recent decades.
- China – about 48% female, similarly affected by the one-child policy’s legacy of sex-selective practices.
These countries are often grouped with the Gulf states in discussions of “missing women,” a term coined by economist Amartya Sen to describe the shortfall in female populations caused by discrimination and migration.
How the Data Is Measured
The most common metric is the sex ratio, expressed as the number of males per 100 females. A ratio of 100 means equal numbers; a ratio of 200 means twice as many males as females. The UN Population Division publishes annual estimates for every country, based on censuses, surveys, and administrative data.
To find the female proportion, you can convert the sex ratio directly: if a country has a sex ratio of 150 (i.e., 150 males per 100 females), then the female share is 100 / (150 + 100) = 40%. For Qatar, with a sex ratio near 300, the female share is about 25%.
It’s important to note that these figures refer to the de facto population—everyone present in the country at the time of the census—not just citizens. In the Gulf states, non-citizens make up 80–90% of the population, so the sex ratio of the citizen population alone is close to normal.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misunderstanding is that low female proportions in the Gulf indicate a shortage of women at birth or a cultural preference for sons. In reality, the sex ratio at birth in these countries is normal (about 105 boys per 100 girls). The imbalance is entirely due to adult male migrants. If you looked only at Qatari citizens, the female share would be around 49–50%.
Another misconception is that the global sex ratio is heavily male-biased. In fact, the worldwide ratio is about 101.7 males per 100 females, a slight male majority driven by China and India. Without those two countries, the global ratio would be nearly equal.
Social and Economic Consequences
Extreme sex imbalances have significant effects on society. In the Gulf, the large male migrant population lives in labor camps or shared housing, often separated from the local community. This creates social isolation and can lead to tensions, but it also means that the local female population is not actually outnumbered in daily life—most interactions are with other citizens or family members.
In countries like China and India, the imbalance is more permanent because it is built into the age structure. Young men may struggle to find brides, leading to phenomena such as bride trafficking or cross-regional marriages. However, these effects are complex and vary by region.
For the migrant workers themselves, the low female ratio means that family reunification is difficult, and many spend years away from their wives and children. This has led to calls for labor reforms, but the economic incentives for both employers and workers remain strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the lowest percentage of females?
Qatar has the lowest female share, at roughly 24–25% of the total population, according to the most recent UN estimates.
Why does Qatar have so few women?
Because the vast majority of its residents are male migrant workers who come without families. The native Qatari population is small and has a normal sex ratio.
Is the low female ratio in the Gulf due to sex-selective abortion?
No. The sex ratio at birth in these countries is normal (about 105 boys per 100 girls). The imbalance is caused by adult male labor migration, not by pre-natal selection.
What is the global average female proportion?
Worldwide, women make up about 49.6% of the population, because there are slightly more men than women globally (about 101.7 males per 100 females).
Are there any countries where women vastly outnumber men?
Yes. In several former Soviet states like Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, women make up around 53–54% of the population, largely due to higher male mortality and emigration.
Could the Gulf’s sex ratio change in the future?
It could, if migration patterns shift. Some Gulf countries are trying to reduce their reliance on foreign labor, but as long as oil and construction industries remain dominant, the male majority is likely to persist.
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