Europe’s Highest Female Population Percentage by Country (Top 47)

In Europe, women make up a larger share of the population than men. This pattern holds in nearly every country on the continent.

In 2023, Moldova ranked first in Europe for the share of women in the population at 53.98%. It is followed closely by Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania, each with more than 52% women.

Eastern Europe: Highest Female Numbers

In Moldova, nearly 54% of the population is female. This number is shaped by a few key facts: many men leave Moldova to work in other countries, especially in the European Union. That means more women stay behind, and they end up forming the majority. In addition, Moldovan women tend to live longer; their life expectancy is several years higher than men’s, and this is true across Europe as well. Traditional roles also play a part, with many women taking on family and community duties while men are more likely to move for jobs.

Quick facts about Moldova:

• 53.98% of the population is female
• Men often emigrate for work
• Women have more stable jobs and longer lives
• Gender role traditions are common

Latvia is second in Europe for female share, at 53.68%. In Latvia and other Baltic countries, such as Lithuania (52.85%), the imbalance can be traced to harsh economic conditions after Soviet rule and high male emigration. Many Latvian and Lithuanian men moved west in search of work, while women stayed behind. The gap is made even wider since men are more likely to die young, often because of health issues or risky behaviors. In these countries, the difference in life expectancy between men and women is among the widest in the world, roughly 9–10 years.

Key points for Latvia and Lithuania:

• Women outnumber men by as much as 17% in Latvia
• Life expectancy gap is 9–10 years
• Significant decline in population since independence
• Many educated women migrate for better opportunities

Russia and Ukraine: Post-Soviet Legacies

Russia stands out, with women accounting for 53.57% of its population. Its history includes notable population casualties during World War II, and its men today face high rates of early death because of alcohol, smoking, and challenging work conditions. The life expectancy gap in Russia is dramatic, trailing only Latvia among large nations. Ukraine and Belarus follow, each above 53%. The war in Ukraine has hurt male numbers through conscription and fatalities. Belarus, meanwhile, has lost people to emigration and falling birth rates since 1990. The most significant wave left after the 2020 political unrest included many young men.

Top facts about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus:

• Russia female share: 53.57%
• Ukraine: 53.50%, Belarus: 53.40%
• Higher male mortality and migration
• Region shaped by history and conflict

Central and Southern Europe Trends

Serbia, Bosnia, Estonia, Portugal, and Hungary all have female shares above 52%, with most countries shaped by migration patterns and differences in male and female health. In the Balkans, rural emigration is common among men. Estonia, as a small northern country, has moved toward Nordic-style family policy and gender equality at work, helping balance out some of its trends. Portugal shows Western European stability but also reflects Europe’s aging population and women’s longer lives.

Fast facts for Central and Southern Europe:

• Serbia (52.51%), Bosnia (52.44%), Estonia (52.50%)
• Portugal (52.36%), Hungary (52.01%)
• Migration and health differences drive the numbers
• Women tend to stay local for family and jobs

Montenegro: Small But Still Skewed

• Women make up 51.88% of the small Montenegrin population.
• Tourism jobs attract young women, while many men look for work elsewhere or in seasonal jobs.

Croatia: Sea Change

• 51.78% female.
• War and the shift to a service-based economy mean more women live in Croatia, especially near the coast.

Bulgaria: Losing People Fast

• 51.6% of Bulgarians are women.
• The country has lost almost 2 million people since the end of communism, with young men leaving for work in Western Europe.
• Loads of older women now live in empty villages.

Greece: Economic Impact

• Females make up 51.56%.
• The financial crisis forced young Greeks, especially men, to move abroad in search of work, widening the gender gap.
• Islands and remote villages now have high numbers of women, especially older ones.

Romania: Where Did All the Men Go?

• 51.56% female.
• Over 4 million Romanians live and work in Western Europe—a large share of them men.
• Fertility rates are different by region, but in general, there are far more women in rural areas.

Poland: Shift to Stability

• 51.54% women.
• Poland has done well economically, so fewer young people leave these days.
• Still, more women are studying and working in service jobs, while traditional industries employ more men.

France: Highest in Western Europe

• 51.53% of French people are women.
• France stands out in Western Europe.
• Policies that support families and longer female life expectancy keep the numbers high.

North Macedonia: Still a Gender Gap

• 51.37% female.
• Many men leave for employment opportunities abroad, creating a gender imbalance, especially in small towns.

Slovakia: A Balanced Finish

• 51.17% female.
• Thanks to a strong economy and fewer people leaving the country, Slovakia is closer to a natural balance.

The Roots of Gender Imbalance

Why do women so often outnumber men? The answer is simple but powerful: women tend to live longer. On average, the life expectancy gap in Europe exceeds 5 years, and it is often much higher in Eastern regions. Men face higher risks from work, health, and lifestyle choices. In addition, when men migrate, more women remain in the home country. Even a 2–3% gap shapes everything from family life to public policy.

Leading causes for the gap:

• Women live longer (life expectancy gap up to 10 years)
• Male emigration for work is common
• Men are at higher risk of disease and early death
• Social roles and traditions keep women rooted

Economic and Social Effects

These numbers have a tangible impact on Europe’s workforce and society. Although women make up the majority and important gaps remain in employment and pay. In many nations, women earn higher college degrees but still face unequal access to opportunities at work. Changes in demographics also impact pensions, health services, and education planning, as aging populations require more attention to women’s needs.

Summary points:

• The female majority affects jobs, pensions, and healthcare
• Remaining pay gaps and employment barriers
• Women’s longevity increases demand for social services
• Migrant flows change regional balance

Looking Forward

In the top 20 countries, women consistently outnumber men by a small margin. This has been shaped over decades by migration, health and shifting social roles. In the future, lower birth rates and remote work might change some trends, but women are likely to continue living longer than men.

Europe’s female majority is more than numbers—these patterns reveal decades of personal stories, resilience, migration, and change. Every country’s statistics tell a real, human tale of life, work, and family through generations.

Here is the full list of Europe’s highest female population percentages by country in 2023.

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