Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 20 March 2000


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 20 March 2000. 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 MPs40.194
Gender breakdown known for38.167
Men33.032
Women5.135
Percentage of women13,5%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs34.245
Gender breakdown known for32.621
Men28.220
Women4.401
Percentage of women13,5%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs5.949
Gender breakdown known for5.546
Men4.812
Women734
Percentage of women13,2%

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 38,8% --- 38,8%
Europe - OSCE member countries
including Nordic countries
15,6% 14,1% 15,3%
Americas 14,4% 14,8% 15,3%
Asia 14,7% 14,2% 14,7%
Europe - OSCE member countries
Nordic countries not including
13,3% 14,1% 13,5%
Sub-Saharan Africa 11,3% 13,6% 11,5%
Pacific 11,3% 25,4% 13,3%
Arab States 3,7% 2,5% 3,5%

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