Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 6, 2026 Women
Despite gradual progress, women still hold only slightly more than a quarter of seats in national parliaments worldwide. This is the second consecutive year of growth in representation. remain the slowest since 2017. According to a new report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as of January 1, 2026, women held 27.5 percent of parliamentary seats worldwide – slightly up from 27.2 percent the previous year.
The report is based on data from 49 countries where parliamentary renewals took place in 62 chambers in 2025.
The greatest progress
The largest increase in women's representation last year was recorded in Kyrgyzstan. The share of women in the country's parliament increased by 12.9 percentage points. It was followed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (12.3 points) and the upper house of Saint Lucia's parliament (9.1 points).
Despite slow global progress, some countries have achieved record-breaking results. In Australia, women will hold 46 percent of parliamentary seats after the 2025 elections—the highest percentage in the country's history. In the Czech Republic, the proportion of women in the lower house increased from 25 percent to one-third of members. In Ecuador, women held a record 45 percent of seats in the National Assembly.
The year also marked a historic milestone for Japan: for the first time in the country's history, a woman became prime minister. Following the July elections, the proportion of women in the upper house of parliament reached a record 29.4 percent.
Reduction in the number of female speakers
At the same time, the proportion of women holding parliamentary speaker positions has significantly declined globally. Currently, it stands at 19.9 percent (54 speakers), compared to 23.7 percent a year earlier.
Of the 75 new speakers elected or appointed in 2025, only 12 are women.
Regional differences
The highest level of women's representation remains in the Americas. In 2025, women accounted for 36.1 percent of the members elected to 20 parliamentary chambers in 13 countries in the region. Overall, as of the beginning of 2026, women held 35.6 percent of parliamentary seats in the Americas.
The region is also home to four of the world's seven countries that have achieved gender parity, or have more women than men in parliament: Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Elsewhere, Rwanda, Andorra, and the United Arab Emirates have achieved this level of representation.
The lowest level of women's representation remains in the Middle East and North Africa, where women hold an average of only 16.2 percent of parliamentary seats.
In three countries – Oman, Tuvalu and Yemen – there are no women members of parliament at all in the lower houses of parliament or unicameral parliaments.
The role of quotas
The report shows that quotas remain one of the most effective tools for increasing women's representation.
In 2025, women held an average of 30.9 percent of seats in parliaments with legislative or voluntary quotas. In parliaments without quotas, this figure was 23.3 percent.
Pressure and violence
Violence and pressure against female politicians remains a serious obstacle. An IPU study found that 76 percent of female parliamentarians in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced psychological violence.
Women deputies more often become targets of threats and intimidation from society—both online and offline. Seventy-six percent of women and 68 percent of men surveyed reported this experience.
Experts warn that threats could deter women from participating in politics and slow progress towards gender equality in representative bodies.
Some countries are already taking steps to combat this phenomenon. For example, the Philippine Electoral Commission intervened after male candidates made derogatory remarks about female politicians, and the Colombian parliament passed a law aimed at preventing and punishing violence against women in politics.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global organization of national parliaments, founded in 1889. Today, it comprises 183 national parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary organizations. The IPU promotes democracy and protects the rights of parliamentarians worldwide.
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