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Fewer Sons Born Close to Sun

New study finds more girls born closer to equator

By Jess Kilby, Newser User

Posted Apr 1, 2009 7:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Women who live near the equator are more likely to give birth to baby girls than boys, the Independent reports. A new study has found a small but significant shift in gender ratios depending on latitude, with males comprising 51.1% of tropical births; the global sex ratio is 51.5% in favor of males.

Researchers studied birth data from 202 countries and found the ratio was even further skewed in steamier countries: The Central African Republic produces only 49% boys, for example. Researchers say the findings may reflect the fact that northern regions offer more varied food supplies than the tropics. Data was eliminated from countries where sex-specific abortions are known to regularly occur.

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A new study has found the incidence of female births increases the closer the mother lives to the equator. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Dudu Ndwandwe rests with her newly-born baby girl at the Edendale Hospital near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Jan. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/John Robinson)

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Despite enormous cultural and socio-economic variability, we continue to adjust reproductive patterns in response to environmental cues, just as we were originally programmed to do.
- Dr Kristen Navara, University of Georgia in Athens, lead researcher on the study

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Fewer Sons Born Close to Sun