Fact Sheet: Armenia

Son preference and daughter aversion have predominantly been understood in terms of gender-biased sex selection, which has been identified and measured by the presence of a skewed sex ratio at birth (SRB). When the “natural” sex ratio of 105 males to 100 females skews even further towards males, it indicates a prevalence of prenatal sex selection in favour of sons. The most recent data from Armenia indicates a rise of a skewed SRB. While the factors behind these developments remain uncertain without further research, the rising SRB highlights an enduring preference for male children and a perception of the lower value of girls in Armenia.