Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 30 June 2005


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 30 June 2005. The percentages do not take into account the case of parliaments for which no data was available at that date. 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 MPs43'144
Gender breakdown known for42'446
Men35'724
Women6'722
Percentage of women15.8%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs36'663
Gender breakdown known for35'965
Men30'218
Women5'747
Percentage of women16.0%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs6'481
Gender breakdown known for6'481
Men5'506
Women975
Percentage of women15.0%

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 39.9% --- 39.9%
Europe - OSCE member countries
including Nordic countries
19.0% 16.9% 18.5%
Americas 18.8% 19.5% 18.9%
Europe - OSCE member countries
excluding Nordic countries
16.9% 16.9% 16.9%
Sub-Saharan Africa 15.8% 14.2% 15.6%
Asia 15.2% 13.5% 15.1%
Pacific 11.2% 26.5% 13.3%
Arab States 8.8% 5.6% 7.6%

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