sex ratio: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “sex ratio” mean?
The ratio of males to females in a given population, typically expressed as the number of males per 100 females.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ratio of males to females in a given population, typically expressed as the number of males per 100 females.
A demographic statistic used to analyse gender balance within a specific group, age cohort, species, or geographical region. Can refer to the ratio at birth or within a total population.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., analyse/analyze).
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Used with similar, low frequency in both academic and policy contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sex ratio” in a Sentence
The sex ratio of [population/group]A sex ratio of [number]:[number]A sex ratio in favour of [males/females]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in HR reports for workforce demographics: 'The company's sex ratio is heavily skewed towards male employees in engineering roles.'
Academic
Common in demographics, sociology, biology, and epidemiology: 'The research paper analysed the changing sex ratio in bird populations due to environmental stress.'
Everyday
Very rare. Would typically be paraphrased: 'Are there more boys or girls born there?'
Technical
Primary context. Used precisely in demographic statistics, wildlife management, and public health.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sex ratio”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sex ratio”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sex ratio”
- Using 'gender ratio' interchangeably in all contexts (in strict social sciences, 'gender' is social, 'sex' is biological).
- Mis-stating the direction (e.g., saying 'a high sex ratio' without clarifying if it means more males or females).
- Omitting 'ratio' and just saying 'the sex...' which changes meaning entirely.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It indicates an equal number of males and females in the population.
In casual use they are often interchanged, but in technical contexts 'sex ratio' refers to biological sex (male/female), while 'gender ratio' might refer to social gender identity (man/woman/non-binary).
Biologically, slightly more male babies are conceived and born; the natural sex ratio at birth is around 103-107 males per 100 females.
Yes, it's a standard term in biology and ecology for studying any sexually reproducing species.
The ratio of males to females in a given population, typically expressed as the number of males per 100 females.
Sex ratio is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Sex ratio: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛks ˈreɪʃɪəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛks ˈreɪʃioʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none - term is technical]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SEX' (biological category) + 'RATIO' (mathematical comparison) = comparing numbers of males and females.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE AS A NUMBER: Gender balance is conceptualised as a calculable, quantifiable figure.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'sex ratio' MOST appropriately used?