Changing Gender Preferences Worldwide: Decline in Son Preference

Gender preferences are undergoing a historic transformation in countries around the world.

On the 7th (local time), The Economist reported that “the growing trend of parents viewing baby girls as blessings is emerging for the first time in human history,” analyzing that in developing countries like China and India, the preference for sons has been retreating in recent years.

According to an analysis by The Economist, combining its own insights with UN data, the number of annual female fetal deaths peaked at 1.7 million in 2000, remained above 1 million in 2015, but is expected to sharply decrease to around 200,000 this year.

This change reflects a reversal of the trend that saw a surge in female fetal mortality rates due to the widespread use of ultrasound in the early 1980s, with the current fetal sex ratio approaching the natural rate (105 boys for every 100 girls).

Normalization of Gender Ratio in South Korea and Changes in Asian Countries

The Economist noted South Korea as a prominent example of a return to a natural fetal sex ratio.

In the 1990s, during its time as a developing country, South Korea saw a birth ratio of 116 boys for every 100 girls, and couples without sons reported sex ratios of 200 boys for every 100 girls for their third child and 250 boys for every 100 girls for their fourth child.

However, in its current status as a developed country, South Korea’s fetal sex ratio has approached natural levels, with 105.1 boys for every 100 girls.

In the major population countries of China and India, the preference for sons is also weakening in the 2020s.

In China, the ratio of boys born to girls remained at around 117 boys for every 100 girls throughout the 2000s but decreased to 111 by 2023.

Similarly, in India, the ratio increased to 109 boys for every 100 girls until 2010 and has decreased to 107 by 2023.

In Bangladesh and sub-Saharan Africa, preferences for sons and daughters among women who have not yet given birth appear to be nearly equal.

Furthermore, in some Caribbean coastal areas and parts of Africa, fetal sex ratios lower than 101 boys for every 100 girls have been observed.

The Economist pointed out that the decline in son preference may be influenced by various social factors, including changing perceptions of child gender, the increasing number of unmarried men due to unbalanced sex ratios in China, reports of declining academic achievement among male students in the UK, and 'bride price' customs in some African countries.

Image source: Material photos to aid understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank