There are more females than males in many of Taiwan's major cities, as men from these urban areas are more likely to leave the country, the interior ministry said yesterday.

Of the five special municipalities, Taipei, New Taipei City, Taichung and Kaohsiung have more male than female residents within their boundaries, the ministry's Population Administration said.

Taipei has the highest proportion of female residents: for every 100 women, there are only 92.85 men, according to the administration.

In New Taipei City, Taichung and Kaohsiung, for every 100 females, there are 97.91, 98.75 and 99.99 men, respectively.

Tainan is the only special municipality to see more males than females, at a ratio of 101.03 men to 100 women.

The top-four cities and counties with more males than females are either remote or agricultural areas: Matsu (at a ratio of 133.77), Taitung (109.02), Yunlin (108.96) and Chiayi (108.89).

The administration, explaining the figures, suggested that men in urban areas are more likely to go abroad to do business or receive education, and they often settle down in their host nations.

It also said that the service sectors in urban areas may attract more women.