A look at Latvia’s Severe Man Shortage
We know Latvia as home to some of the largest live dealer studio operations in world. But did you also know that it’s a country where men are highly outnumbered by women?
Statistics show that Latvia has one of the lowest male to female ratios in the world, with only 86 males for every 100 females. This is well below the EU average of 95 males per 100 females. It’s nowhere near the global average of just over 100 (yes, there are slightly more males on the planet than females at the moment).
| Country | Male to Female ratio | Demographic Lean |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | ~ 86% | Heavily Female Skewed |
| Russia | ~ 86% | Heavily Female Skewed |
| Ukraine | ~ 86% | Heavily Female Skewed |
| EU Average | ~ 95% | Female Skewed |
| France | ~ 96% | Balanced (Slight Female Lean) |
| USA | ~ 97% | Balanced (Slight Female Lean) |
| United Kingdom | ~ 98% | Balanced (Slight Female Lean) |
| World Average | ~ 101% | Balanced |
| China | ~ 104% | Male Skewed |
| India | ~ 107% | Male Skewed |
| Saudi Arabia | ~ 153% | Heavily Male Skewed |
| UAE | ~ 220% | Heavily Male Skewed |
| Qatar | ~ 240% | Heavily Male Skewed |
For context only a small handful of countries have a lower ratio than Latvia (Hong Kong SAR, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Moldova and Macao).
Where are Latvia’s Men?
The obvious question of course, is what’s behind Latvia’s severe man shortage?
It’s not a failure of nature. In fact slightly more baby boys are born each year than baby girls. The country’s biological birth ratio is around 105 boys for every 100 girls.
It’s just that the boys don’t seem to hang around as long.
Demographers blame the thinning male cohort on two main factors: migration (largely for job opportunities abroad) and higher mortality rates. Latvian men who haven’t moved abroad succumb to cardiovascular disease, alcohol-related conditions and suicide more frequently than women. They are also far more accident prone.
Latvia’s Population (age-sex) Pyramid
The below population pyramid graphically depicts the thinning of Latvia’s male ranks. Men actually outnumber women up to the 40-44 age bracket and then their numbers fall dramatically.
Latvian ladies north of 65 who are hitting the apps looking for love are going to experience slim pickings.
But for those under 40 it’s still raining men.
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