US Population by Gender 2026 — ~171M Men & ~172M Women
The United States had an estimated total population of approximately 341.8 million as of July 1, 2025, according to the US Census Bureau. In 2026, BusinessStats estimates the total US population at approximately 343.6 million, split between approximately 171.3 million males (49.9%) and 172.3 million females (50.1%). Women have historically outnumbered men in the United States — a pattern driven primarily by women’s significantly longer average life expectancy (81.4 years versus 76.5 years for men, a gap of 4.9 years). However, this gap has been narrowing steadily: in 2010, there were approximately 5.17 million more women than men in the US; by 2026 that difference has narrowed to approximately 1 million, and projections suggest it will reach approximately 3 million by 2027 (Statista/IMF projection, using 50.47% female baseline). The narrowing is driven by rising male immigration — particularly from Latin America and Asia — which has added more males than females to the US population in recent years, shifting the overall sex ratio. The gender demographics of the US population connect to broader trends tracked in our US population by race analysis.
The overall gender ratio of approximately 99 males per 100 females is a national average that conceals dramatic age-based variation. Among the youngest Americans, boys significantly outnumber girls: there are approximately 104.8 boys per 100 girls under age 18, reflecting the universal biological constant where approximately 104–107 boys are born for every 100 girls worldwide. This male numerical advantage persists through young adulthood. The crossover point — where females begin to outnumber males — occurs around the 45–49 age group, where the ratio drops to approximately 99 males per 100 females. By ages 60–64, there are only approximately 94.6 males per 100 females, and among Americans aged 85 and older, just 57.5 males exist per 100 females. This stark imbalance at older ages reflects the cumulative effect of higher male mortality throughout life from accidents, cardiovascular disease, violence, occupational hazards, and other causes. The population and economic dynamics of the US connect to our world economies analysis.
How Many Men & Women Are in the US? — 2026 Data
As of 2026, approximately 171.3 million men live in the United States — equivalent to roughly the combined populations of Germany and France combined. The male US population has grown from approximately 151.8 million in 2010 to an estimated 171.3 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 19.5 million over 16 years (+12.8%). The male population is projected to reach approximately 172.1 million by 2027. Approximately 172.3 million women live in the United States in 2026. The female population has grown from approximately 157.5 million in 2010 to an estimated 172.3 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 14.8 million (+9.4%). Female population growth has been slightly slower than male population growth in percentage terms over this period, primarily because recent male-skewed immigration has added proportionally more men than women. Together, the US male and female populations of approximately 343.6 million make the United States the world’s third most populous country after India and China. The economic significance of this population base connects to the patterns in our US financial markets analysis and the US stock market.
US Population by Gender — Male vs Female 2010–2026 (Millions)
Male vs Female Population Share — Annual Trend
US Male to Female Ratio — What Does 99:100 Mean?
The US male to female ratio is approximately 99 males per 100 females (or 0.99:1) at the overall population level in 2026. This means for every 100 women in America, there are approximately 99 men. In percentage terms, women represent approximately 50.1% and men approximately 49.9% of the total US population. However, this near-perfect balance at the aggregate level conceals significant structural differences. The US gender ratio has been shifting: in the mid-20th century, the ratio was considerably more female-heavy (falling to its lowest point of approximately 94.6 males per 100 females in 1971). Since then, improving male life expectancy and increasing male immigration have pushed the ratio steadily higher. StatisticsTimes projects the US gender ratio to reach approximately 104.9 males per 100 females by 2100 — meaning the US would eventually have more males than females overall — though this projection depends significantly on immigration patterns and continued male mortality improvements. An important recent development: in 2024, US Census Vintage data briefly showed a slight male numerical majority (171.0M males vs 169.1M females) for the first time in modern history, driven by record-high male immigration in 2022–2024. This shifted back toward female majority with the immigration slowdown in 2025.
US Male-Female Ratio Trend — Males per 100 Females 2010–2026
US Gender Ratio by Age Group — Men Dominate Under 45, Women Over 45
The most important insight in US gender demographics is that the national ratio of approximately 99:100 is a misleading average. The actual gender ratio varies dramatically by age in ways that are consistent with biological and social patterns observed worldwide. Among children under 5, there are approximately 9.69 million boys and 9.25 million girls — a ratio of approximately 104.7 boys per 100 girls, driven entirely by the universal biological birth sex ratio of approximately 105:100. This male advantage persists through adolescence (104.8 boys per 100 girls under age 18) and young adulthood. Between ages 30–34, the largest single age group for both sexes, there are approximately 11.65 million men and 11.41 million women. The crossover point occurs around ages 45–49, where the ratio drops to approximately 99 males per 100 females, and women begin to outnumber men. By ages 60–64, there are only approximately 10.37 million males vs 10.96 million females — a gap of approximately 590,000. At ages 85 and older, the imbalance is extreme: approximately 2.33 million males vs 4.05 million females, a ratio of just 57.5 males per 100 females. This senior gender imbalance has profound implications for retirement planning, healthcare, Social Security, and housing. The demographic trends connect to the financial market patterns in our global financial markets analysis.
US Gender Ratio by Age Group — Males per 100 Females
US Male & Female Population — Historical Trend 2010–2026
The 16-year trend from 2010 to 2026 shows the US gender gap narrowing steadily. In 2010, the US had approximately 151.8 million males and 157.5 million females — a difference of approximately 5.7 million more women. By 2022, Census Bureau data recorded 165.28 million males and 168.0 million females — a gap of approximately 2.7 million. In 2024, the Vintage 2024 Census estimates showed approximately 171.0 million males and 169.1 million females — for the first time in modern recorded history, males slightly outnumbered females in the US population by approximately 1.9 million. This reversal was largely driven by the record-high net international migration of 2022–2024, which skewed heavily male: a high proportion of international migrants are working-age males seeking employment opportunities. The immigration slowdown in 2025 partially reversed this, and the female majority is expected to re-establish itself as the male immigration wave normalises. By 2027, projections suggest women will again outnumber men by approximately 3 million (Statista/IMF projection baseline of 50.47% female). The immigration and economic dynamics are closely linked to the patterns in our global wealth and demographics analysis.
US Population by Gender — Full Data Table 2010–2027
| Year | Total Population | Male (M) | Female (M) | Male % | Female % | Gap (F−M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 309.3M | 151.8M | 157.5M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.7M |
| 2011 | 311.7M | 153.0M | 158.7M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.7M |
| 2012 | 314.0M | 154.2M | 159.8M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.6M |
| 2013 | 316.1M | 155.2M | 160.9M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.7M |
| 2014 | 318.4M | 156.4M | 162.0M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.6M |
| 2015 | 320.7M | 157.6M | 163.1M | 49.1% | 50.9% | −5.5M |
| 2016 | 323.1M | 158.9M | 164.2M | 49.2% | 50.8% | −5.3M |
| 2017 | 325.5M | 160.2M | 165.3M | 49.2% | 50.8% | −5.1M |
| 2018 | 327.2M | 161.1M | 166.1M | 49.2% | 50.8% | −5.0M |
| 2019 | 329.1M | 162.2M | 166.9M | 49.3% | 50.7% | −4.7M |
| 2020 | 331.5M | 163.0M | 168.5M | 49.2% | 50.8% | −5.5M |
| 2021 | 331.9M | 163.5M | 168.4M | 49.3% | 50.7% | −4.9M |
| 2022 | 333.3M | 165.3M | 168.0M | 49.6% | 50.4% | −2.7M |
| 2023 | 336.8M | 167.0M | 169.8M | 49.6% | 50.4% | −2.8M |
| 2024 | 340.1M | 171.0M | 169.1M | 50.2% | 49.8% | +1.9M |
| 2025 | 341.8M | ~170.5M | ~171.3M | 49.9% | 50.1% | −0.8M |
| 2026E | ~343.6M | ~171.3M | ~172.3M | 49.9% | 50.1% | −1.0M |
| 2027E | ~345.3M | ~172.1M | ~173.2M | 49.8% | 50.2% | −1.1M |
US Population by Gender — Key Statistics 2026
US Gender Population Trends — Why the Ratio Is Changing
The long-term trend in the US male-female ratio is driven by three interacting forces. First, improving male life expectancy: men have been catching up to women in longevity over the past 50 years. The male-female life expectancy gap peaked at approximately 7.7 years in 1975 and has narrowed to 4.9 years in 2024. If this convergence continues — driven by declining male smoking rates, better cardiovascular care, and improved workplace safety — the male-female ratio will continue to rise toward parity and eventually male majority at the population level. Second, immigration patterns: the US has experienced surges of predominantly male immigration in recent years, particularly from Mexico, Central America, and parts of Asia. Working-age male economic migrants outnumber female migrants, and when immigration volumes are high, this skews the overall population ratio toward males. The record immigration years of 2022–2024 were largely responsible for the brief reversal to male numerical majority in 2024. With the immigration slowdown in 2025, the female majority has re-established itself. Third, birth sex ratio: the US birth sex ratio of approximately 104.7–105 boys per 100 girls is a stable biological constant that ensures boys outnumber girls in every young age cohort. As the overall population ages and younger cohorts grow as a share of total population, this will tend to push the overall ratio slightly higher. The demographic connection to the broader US economy is tracked in our US metropolitan areas population analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions — US Population by Gender 2026
There are approximately 171.3 million men in the United States in 2026, representing approximately 49.9% of the total US population of approximately 343.6 million. The male US population has grown from approximately 151.8 million in 2010, adding approximately 19.5 million men over 16 years. By 2027, the male population is projected to reach approximately 172.1 million. Men outnumber women in every age group under approximately 45 years old, but women outnumber men in older age groups due to higher male mortality rates.
There are approximately 172.3 million women in the United States in 2026, representing approximately 50.1% of the total US population. The female US population has grown from approximately 157.5 million in 2010, adding approximately 14.8 million women over 16 years. By 2027, the female population is projected to reach approximately 173.2 million. Women outnumber men overall due to longer female life expectancy (81.4 years vs 76.5 years for men), though men briefly outnumbered women in 2024 due to record male immigration.
The US male to female ratio is approximately 99 males per 100 females (or 0.99:1) at the overall population level in 2026. This represents near-parity: women comprise approximately 50.1% and men approximately 49.9% of the US population. This overall ratio conceals significant variation: under age 18 there are approximately 104.8 boys per 100 girls, but at age 85+ there are just 57.5 males per 100 females. The ratio has been rising since the historical low of 94.6 in 1971 and is projected to reach 104.9 by 2100.
In 2026, there are slightly more women than men in the United States — approximately 172.3 million women versus 171.3 million men, a female surplus of approximately 1 million. However, this is not a fixed reality: in 2024, the US Census Vintage 2024 data briefly showed approximately 171.0 million males vs 169.1 million females — a rare male majority driven by record-high male immigration in 2022–2024. Overall, women have outnumbered men in the US for most of the past century, primarily due to women’s longer life expectancy of 81.4 years versus men’s 76.5 years.
The women to men ratio in the United States is approximately 100 women per 99 men (or 1.01:1 in favor of women) in 2026. Put another way, for every 100 American women there are approximately 99 American men. The US Census Bureau ACS surveys consistently show women at approximately 50.5% of the population over multi-year average periods. However, the ratio varies dramatically by age: among Americans aged 30–34, men and women are nearly equal (11.65M vs 11.41M); among Americans 85+, women outnumber men by nearly 2:1 (4.05M vs 2.33M).
Women outnumber men in the US primarily because of higher male mortality rates throughout life. Women live an average of 4.9 years longer than men (81.4 vs 76.5 years life expectancy in 2024). Men face higher death rates from accidents, cardiovascular disease, violence, occupational hazards, suicide, and substance abuse at every age group from childhood onward. This cumulative mortality differential means that although more boys than girls are born (104.7 boys per 100 girls), women accumulate as a share of the population with age, resulting in an overall female numerical majority. The US Census ACS surveys consistently show women at approximately 50.5% of the total population.
The US gender ratio varies dramatically by age group: Under 18: 104.8 boys per 100 girls (males dominate). Ages 30–34: approximately equal (11.65M men vs 11.41M women). Ages 45–49: crossover point — approximately 99 males per 100 females, where women begin to outnumber men. Ages 60–64: 94.6 males per 100 females. Ages 80+: 65.6 males per 100 females. Ages 85+: 57.5 males per 100 females (approximately 2.33M men vs 4.05M women). The senior gender imbalance has major implications for retirement planning, elder care, and Social Security.
The US male-female ratio has been steadily rising (becoming more balanced) since 2010. In 2010, females outnumbered males by approximately 5.17 million. By 2022, the gap had narrowed to approximately 2.7 million. In 2024, the male population briefly exceeded females by approximately 1.9 million due to record-high male immigration. By 2026, the female surplus has returned at approximately 1 million. The long-term projections suggest the gap will settle at approximately 3 million female surplus by 2027, narrowing further as male life expectancy continues to improve.
Women now outperform men in most measures of US educational attainment — a complete reversal from historical patterns. 35.6% of women aged 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 33.6% of men. High school completion: 90.2% of women vs 88.8% of men. Women earn more bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees annually than men. This education gap has significant long-term implications for labour force composition, income, and the gender pay gap in sectors from finance to the AI and technology industry. The exception: men still hold a slight edge in graduate and professional degrees (12.2% men vs 11.8% women).
The 30–34 age group is the largest single age group for both sexes in the US, with approximately 11.65 million men and 11.41 million women, per US Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. At this age, men still slightly outnumber women — reflecting the persistence of the birth sex ratio advantage through young adulthood. This near-equal largest cohort reflects the large millennial generation now entering their 30s. For the 25–34 combined decade, there are approximately 22–23 million men and a similar number of women in the US.
US life expectancy by gender in 2024 (CDC data): Male: 76.5 years | Female: 81.4 years | Gap: 4.9 years. Both sexes improved significantly from 2021 lows (male 73.5 years, female 79.3 years) when COVID-19 caused the largest single-year life expectancy decline since World War II. The CDC attributed 2024 improvements primarily to a significant fall in fatal drug overdoses. The male-female life expectancy gap peaked at approximately 7.7 years in 1975 and has been narrowing since as male smoking rates fell and cardiovascular care improved.
In the 2020 Census, eleven US states had more men than women: Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, Hawaii, California, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. Most are Western states with large populations of working-age male workers in industries like oil, gas, mining, agriculture, and construction. Alaska has the most extreme male majority, reflecting its historically male-dominated extractive industries and military presence. In contrast, Northeastern and Southern states with larger elderly populations tend to have more women due to the female longevity advantage at older ages.
The US gender ratio of approximately 99 males per 100 females places it in the middle range globally. China has approximately 105 males per 100 females (skewed by historical son preference). India has approximately 108 males per 100 females (similar causes). Russia and most of Eastern Europe have approximately 85–90 males per 100 females due to very high male mortality (particularly from alcohol). Most Western European countries are in the 97–99 range, similar to the US. Global average is approximately 101 males per 100 females at birth, equalising to approximately 99:100 in the total population. StatisticsTimes ranks the US 175th out of 237 countries in female-to-male ratio, indicating a relatively male-balanced population by global standards.