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Sex Ratio of Birth in Russia

Student: Novitskaia Daria

Supervisor: Mikhail B. Denisenko

Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences

Educational Programme: Demography (Master)

Final Grade: 7

Year of Graduation: 2021

Even in the last century, scientists thought about the various reasons for the emergence of people of different sexes, and M. S. Bedny wrote: "Why in some cases boys are born, and in others - girls?" There are some factors that violate the laws of the onset of probable and seemingly equally probable events. The observed statistical difference in the sex ratio at birth in most countries of the world raises primarily questions related to the explanation of this phenomenon. Because of the topic is not fully understood, this study deserves attention, especially, that the seemingly constant sex ratio changes in the particular countries and regions. The reasons for changes in the sex ratio at birth (SPR) in Russia is a topic that has not been fully studied. Moreover, taking into account the existing trends in different regions over long time intervals are going to clarify scenarios for predicting changes in the sex ratio at birth. In this research work, we primarily analyze trends in changes in the sex ratio at birth in the countries from the HMD and the regions of the Russian Federation, in some cases, the indicator is stable in time and in place, however, in other cases it has significant fluctuations. Furthermore, checking such demographic determinants as parental age, number of children and birth order, employment, mother's education, using a new method of classification trees. We found that maternal age, for example, negatively affects the secondary sex ratio and the sex ratio decreases as the number of children increases. We have managed to find certain patterns in the trends, but it is not possible to explain each of them demographically at the moment. After all, the problem has been remaining relevant to this day, the question is still existing and awaiting further research.

Full text (added May 25, 2021)

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