Socioeconomic status and sex ratio in the contemporary Hungarian population
2024

Socioeconomic Status and Sex Ratio in Hungary

Sample size: 3791 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Fanni Sarkadi, Eszter Szász, Balázs Rosivall

Primary Institution: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

Hypothesis

Does socioeconomic status influence the sex ratio of offspring in contemporary Hungary according to the Trivers-Willard hypothesis?

Conclusion

The study found no significant relationship between socioeconomic status and offspring sex ratio in Hungary, suggesting that the precondition of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis was not met.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study did not find a sex-specific relationship between reproductive success and childhood living standards.
  • Data from the whole country showed no relationship between socioeconomic status and offspring sex ratio.
  • A slight trend was observed in Budapest when considering family members born under similar conditions.

Takeaway

The study looked at whether how rich or poor parents are affects whether they have more boys or girls, and it found that it doesn't really matter in Hungary.

Methodology

Data was collected through an online questionnaire targeting individuals over 45 years old with siblings, focusing on their childhood living standards and reproductive success.

Potential Biases

Potential social desirability bias in responses to sensitive questions like induced abortion.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias, and the sample may not represent the entire Hungarian population.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 715 men and 3076 women, primarily from Hungary.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1017/ehs.2024.39

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication