The male : female ratio at birth in Malta is decreased by the Soccer World Cup

Abstract

Introduction: The ratio of male to female live birth is defined as male births divided by total births (M/T) and is expected to approximate 0.515. This study was carried out in order to ascertain whether M/T in Malta was in any way influenced the World Cup. Methods: Index months were months in which the World Cup was held (always in June), from 1958 to 2010 (n=14). Live births were analysed for January before the event to nine months after (the following March). Results: This study analysed 297254 live births. The decline from June to February was highly significant (p=0.001). A dip in M/T was noted in the February after the World Cup and this significantly lower when compared to the previous January to January period (p=0.001). M/T in these Februaries was also significantly lower than that in the other Februaries in the rest of the period studied (p=0.0023). Discussion: The majority of fans side with Italian or English national teams for old colonial political reasons. Stress leading up to and following the World Cup may have reduced M/T in Malta, with a rapid recovery when the effect passed.