Ratios

According to the CIA World Factbook, global population is estimated at 6,602,224,175 as of July 2007. Broken down, the age structure would show (a 2007 estimate) that 27.4% are 0-14 years (931,551,498 males and 875,646,416 females); 65.1% are 15-64 year (2,174,605,518 males and 2,124,494,703 females); and 7.5% are 65 years and over (217,451,123 males and 278,474,917 females). The sex ratio, which is defined as “the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population,” now stands at an estimated 1.07 male/female at birth, 1.064 male/female under 15 years, 1.024 male/female 15-64 years, 0.781 male/female 65 years and over, and a total population ratio of 1.014 male/female.

 

In the Philippines alone, the 2006 estimate is a ratio of 1.05 male/female at birth, 1.04 male/female under 15, 0.99 male/female 15-64, and 0.77 male/female 65 and over.

 

Once again, according to the CIA World Factbook, “sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners.”

 

However, these are not the only causes, though they are grave indeed, of gender imbalance. This gender imbalance is a demographic effect that may also arise from war or from large-scale immigration of male laborers who are unable to bring their families along with them.

 

Why am I interested in these numbers, you may ask?

 

Well, with these numbers, we can safely say that the male-female ratio, particularly within my accessible circle is 1:1. Quite lovely, numerically speaking, don’t you think? It gives all single and unattached females some hope that they may one day (hopefully, soon) find their Mr. Right (or Mr. Right Now or, dear God, please, Mr. Darcy).

 

But wait! The picture really isn’t as rosy or as complete as we would like to paint it.

 

Where are the numbers that would tell us how many of these 1.05 or 1.04 men are actually single, unattached, monogamous, and heterosexual? Where is the ratio for healthy pureblooded males versus gay men? Where is the ratio for alpha males versus mama’s boys?

 

How many women have stood at the doorway of a new bar or restaurant or bookstore or sports shop or friend’s party baffled at the seeming disparity between males and females? How many of us have stood there making a quick scan of the place and found the situation rather disappointing?

 

Despite the numbers, the future still seems rather bleak. And that light at the end of the tunnel? It’s a pinprick.

Still… a pinprick would give one enough to hope. Right?

(Mr. Darcy? If you are indeed out there, please... don't be a pinheaded prick.)