Countries with unusually high male population ratios are primarily oil-rich Middle Eastern nations and certain island nations. This demographic phenomenon results from a complex interplay of economic structures, immigration policies, and socio-cultural factors.
Top 15 Countries
by Male Population Ratio (2016 Data)
|
Rank |
Country |
Male
Population % |
Primary
Causes |
|
1 |
Qatar |
72% |
Foreign labor influx |
|
2 |
UAE |
64% |
Foreign labor influx |
|
3 |
Maldives |
62% |
Tourism industry |
|
4 |
Oman |
62% |
Energy sector dominance |
|
5 |
Bahrain |
62% |
Construction industry |
|
6 |
Kuwait |
61% |
Oil industry |
|
7 |
Saudi Arabia |
61% |
Dependence on foreign
workers |
|
8 |
Seychelles |
55% |
Tourism workforce |
|
9 |
Palau |
54% |
Military base presence |
|
10 |
Bhutan |
53% |
Agricultural labor |
|
11 |
Brunei |
53% |
Energy sector |
|
12 |
Equatorial Guinea |
53% |
Oil development |
|
13 |
Greenland |
53% |
Fishing/mining focus |
|
14 |
Malaysia |
52% |
Manufacturing sector |
|
15 |
Malta |
52% |
Shipbuilding industry |
Primary Reasons
for High Male Ratios
1. Mass Influx
of Male Foreign Workers (Gulf Countries Case)
|
Country |
% Foreign
Population |
% Male
Workers |
Main
Industries |
|
Qatar |
88% |
83% |
Construction/Energy |
|
UAE |
89% |
78% |
Construction/Service |
|
Kuwait |
70% |
75% |
Oil/Gas |
Middle Eastern
oil nations host large numbers of male foreign workers in construction and
energy sectors, most of whom don't bring families or marry local women.
2. Gender
Imbalance in Specific Industries
|
Industry |
% Male
Workers |
Example
Countries |
|
Construction |
92% |
UAE, Qatar |
|
Oil/Gas |
89% |
Saudi, Kuwait |
|
Shipbuilding |
87% |
Malta |
|
Mining |
85% |
Greenland |
|
Military Bases |
95% |
Palau |
Industries
requiring intensive physical labor predominantly attract male workers.
3. Demographic
Particularities
|
Phenomenon |
Description |
Example
Countries |
|
Birth Gender Gap |
Cultural preference for sons |
Bhutan, India |
|
Female Emigration |
Women leaving for
education/marriage |
Philippines, Sri Lanka |
|
Reduced Female Longevity |
Factors shortening women's
lifespan |
Equatorial Guinea |
4.
Socio-Cultural Factors
|
Factor |
Impact |
Example
Countries |
|
Conservative Family Systems |
Limits on women's social
participation |
Saudi Arabia |
|
Male-Dominant Society |
Fewer economic opportunities
for women |
Oman |
|
Foreign Domestic Helper
System |
Reduces local female
workforce |
Qatar, UAE |
Country Case
Studies
Qatar (72% Male)
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Labor Structure |
96% of workforce are
foreigners, 83% male |
|
Industry Focus |
Construction (14% of GDP),
Energy (over 50% of GDP) |
|
Demographics |
3:1 male-female ratio in
20-50 age group |
Maldives (62%
Male)
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Economy |
Tourism accounts for over
60% of GDP |
|
Employment |
75% of resort workers are
male (security, maintenance, instructors) |
|
Population |
80% of foreign workers are
unmarried males |
Malaysia (52%
Male)
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Industries |
Manufacturing (24%
workforce), Construction (10%) - both over 85% male |
|
Education Gap |
70% of vocational trainees
are male |
|
Culture |
Traditional male workforce
participation 30% higher than female |
Future Outlook
and Implications
This male
population imbalance creates several challenges:
1.
Social Imbalance Issues
o Marriage market
pressure from surplus males
o Potential
increase in crime rates due to gender imbalance
2.
Labor Market Impacts
o Overdependence
on specific industries
o Economic losses
from underutilized female workforce
3.
Policy Responses
o Some countries
implementing female workforce encouragement policies
o Considering
easing restrictions on foreign workers' families
These demographic patterns are becoming
crucial considerations for long-term national development planning, with
various gender-balancing policies being gradually implemented. Many nations are
now actively working to create more balanced population structures through
policy interventions and social reforms.
