The stress leading up to the elections in Malta causes the proportion of male babies born to decline. In a study published in an international journal, consultant paediatrician Victor Grech examined the relationship between parliamentary elections in Malta and the male-to-female ratio of births. 

Stress is known to reduce the male-to-female birth ratio.

Usually, the sex ratio (the number of boys born divided by the number of girls born) is slightly greater than one. In fact, worldwide, about 106 boys are born for every 100 girls. 

Prof. Grech examined monthly male and female births in the periods leading up to and following elections. He focused on 11 parliamentary elections held between 1966 and 2013.

Consultant paediatrician Victor Grech. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

There were 121,010 live births (62,783 males and 58,227 females) related to election years. The mean male-to-female ratio was 0.51, ranging from 13 months before the election to 13 months after it.

Prof. Grech observed a decline in the sex ratio from seven months prior to the election month. The mean male to female ratio for inter-election years stood at 0.52. 

The hypothesis that stress lowers this ratio is supported by studies that followed up the effects of stressful events on populations. For example, the ratio fell in New York City three months after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

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