Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 1 April 1999


Comparative data by country The data in the tables below has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 1 April 1999. Comparative data on the percentage of women in each National Parliament as well as data concerning the two regional parliamentary assemblies elected by direct suffrage can be found on separate pages. You can use the PARLINE database to view detailed results of parliamentary elections by country. Regional parliamentary assemblies
New: you can now consult an archive of statistical data on women in National Parliaments.


World average
Both Houses combined
Total MPs41.898
Gender breakdown known for39.618
Men34.586
Women5.032
Percentage of women12,7%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs35.257
Gender breakdown known for33.386
Men29.014
Women4.342
Percentage of women13,1%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs6.641
Gender breakdown known for6.232
Men5.572
Women660
Percentage of women10,6%

Regional averages
Regions are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House
Single House
or lower House
Upper House
or Senate
Both Houses
combined
Nordic countries 38,3% --- 38,3%
Europe - OSCE member countries
including Nordic countries
14,9% 9,9% 13,8%
Americas 15,2% 13,9% 15,0%
Asia 14,1% 10,8% 13,8%
Europe - OSCE member countries
Nordic countries not including
12,7% 9,9% 12,0%
Sub-Saharan Africa 11,5% 13,2% 11,6%
Pacific 11,5% 23,4% 13,3%
Arab States 3,5% 2,5% 3,4%

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