Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 25 September 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 25 September 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 MPs40.197
Gender breakdown known for36.298
Men31.257
Women5.041
Percentage of women13,9%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs34.267
Gender breakdown known for31.175
Men26.830
Women4.345
Percentage of women13,9%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs5.930
Gender breakdown known for5.123
Men4.427
Women696
Percentage of women13,6%

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 38,8% --- 38,8%
Europe - OSCE member countries
including Nordic countries
16,4% 14,0% 15,9%
Americas 15,2% 14,4% 15,1%
Asia 14,6% 17,6% 14,8%
Europe - OSCE member countries
Nordic countries not including
14,1% 14,0% 14,1%
Sub-Saharan Africa 12,5% 13,9% 12,6%
Pacific 12,0% 25,6% 13,6%
Arab States 3,8% 2,9% 3,6%

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