Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 5 May 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 5 May 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 MPs41.768
Gender breakdown known for39.288
Men34.247
Women5.041
Percentage of women12,8%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs35.137
Gender breakdown known for32.054
Men27.673
Women4.381
Percentage of women13,3%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs6.631
Gender breakdown known for6.234
Men5.574
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
15,0% 9,9% 13,9%
Americas 15,4% 13,9% 15,2%
Asia 14,3% 10,8% 14,0%
Europe - OSCE member countries
Nordic countries not including
12,8% 9,9% 12,1%
Sub-Saharan Africa 11,6% 13,2% 11,8%
Pacific 11,5% 23,4% 13,3%
Arab States 3,6% 2,5% 3,4%

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