High Level of Sex Ratio at Birth in the Caucasus. A Persistent Phenomenon?

Irina Badurashvili, Georgian Centre of Population Research
Géraldine Duthé, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Karine Kuyumjyan, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
France Meslé, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Jacques Vallin, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

During the 1990s, sex ratio at birth has considerably increased in the three Caucasian countries. In the most recent years, levels remain abnormally high in Armenia and Azerbaijan (around 1.16) and show erratic trends in Georgia. It is often said that this is due to a sex differential in the incompleteness of birth registration. However, a first research based on Armenian and Georgian fertility surveys has clearly demonstrated the reality of the phenomenon, especially for the third and following births. Selective abortion appeared to be the way to obtain children of the desired sex. The aim of this paper is to analyse new available data from recent surveys (2005 DHS in Armenia, 2006 DHS in Azerbaijan, 2005 RHS in Georgia). In the three countries, patterns in parity progression ratio as well as fertility intentions show preference for males. Abortion is commonly use for limiting the parity but a part of abortions is also sex-selective.