High Sex Ratios at Birth in the Caucasus: Modern Technology to Satisfy Old Desires

Abstract

During the 1990s, the sex ratio at birth increased considerably and simultaneously in the three independent Caucasian countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. At the end of the first decade of the twenty‐first century, levels remain abnormally high in Armenia and Azerbaijan (above 114 male births per 100 female births) and show erratic trends in Georgia. Analyzing data from demographic surveys carried out around 2005, we confirm the persistence of high sex ratios in these three countries and document significant differences in fertility intentions and behavior according to the sex of the previous child or children that constitute evidence of the practice of sex‐selective abortion. These countries combine societal features and medical systems that make this phenomenon possible: son preference in a context of low fertility and the possibility of prenatal sex selection given easy access to ultrasound screening and induced abortion. Why high sex ratios are observed only in these three countries of the sub‐region remains, however, an open question.

How Do Demographic Trends Change? The Onset of Birth Masculinization in Albania, Georgia, and Vietnam 1990–2005

“…Since then it has recorded a continuous decrease, so that Georgia's SRB is now below that of its neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan (Duthé et al. ; UNFPA ).…”

Is Induced Abortion Really Declining in Armenia?

“…There is also ample statistical evidence of widespread sex‐selective abortion in Armenia (Duthé et al. ; Guilmoto ; Michael et al. ), which often likely goes unreported since abortions are illegal in Armenia after 12 weeks of gestation when sex determination becomes possible.…”

Gender Dimensions of Inequality in the Countries of Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Western CIS

“…Duthé et al (2012) demonstrate the strong preference for sons in the South Caucasus through their analysis of fertility intentions and behavior and establish that, similar to other countries, the sex ratios at birth are especially high among third births. Moreover, the sex ratios in the South Caucasus appear to follow a pattern similar to other countries, in which the ratio initially increases among the urban well-off individuals and is then followed by the poor or rural dwellers (Guilmoto 2009).…”

“…Despite the slight reduction over the last decade, the sex ratio in these countries remains high, with more than 110 male births for every 100 female births. High sex ratios are also present in the Caucasus region of the Russian Federation and in the Balkan region, e.g., Montenegro and Albania (Guilmoto 2009;Duthé et al 2012).…”