A total of 23,462 male and 22,516 female live births were registered in 2004, yielding a  sex ratio of 1,042 males per 1,000 females (or male to female ratio of 51 to 49) compared to 2003 sex ratio of 1038 (or male to female ratio of 51 to 49).  The annual sex ratio has changed very little over the past few years.  Nevertheless, substantial differences exist in the sex ratios on the parish and regional levels.

The parish of Portland has once again recorded the highest sex ratio in live birth registrations with 1,154 males per 1,000 females (or 53.6 to 46.4 male to female ratio) It is interesting to note, that the parishes of St. Thomas and Westmoreland recorded the lowest sex ratios of 989 and 987 respectively (or male to female ratio of 49.7 to 50.3); and were exceptional as they were the only parishes showing females dominating males.  The North Eastern Region had the highest sex ratio of 1054 (or male to female ratio of 51.3 to 48.7), and Western with the lowest of 1,022 (or male to female ratio of 50.5 to 49.5).

Similarly, live birth occurrences had a sex ratio of 1,041 males per 1,000 females (or a male to female ratio of 51 to 49).  The same parishes and regions highlighted remained in their respective positions of highest and lowest in the recording of sex ratios (Portland 1,186; St Thomas and Westmoreland, 991 and 993 respectively; North Eastern region with 1069; and Western now shared position with Southern at 1,016.

The sex ratios for registrations and occurrences by parish of residence of mother generally reflect a similar trend. Slight variations existed as only the parish of Westmoreland showed females dominating males and the South-Eastern region dominated in sex ratio for live birth registrations.

TABLE 3b: LIVE BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 2004 BY PARISH AND SEX