Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 30 January 2001


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 January 2001. 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 MPs40.818
Gender breakdown known for36.815
Men31.667
Women5.148
Percentage of women14,0%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs34.895
Gender breakdown known for31.461
Men27.031
Women4.430
Percentage of women14,1%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs5.923
Gender breakdown known for5.354
Men4.636
Women718
Percentage of women13,4%

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
16,5% 13,8% 15,9%
Americas 15,3 15,2% 15,3%
Asia 15,5% 15,7% 15,5%
Europe - OSCE member countries
Nordic countries not including
14,2% 13,8% 14,1%
Sub-Saharan Africa 11,9% 13,9% 12,1%
Pacific 12,0% 25,6% 13,6%
Arab States 3,8% 2,7% 3,6%

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