Women Remain Underrepresented in Global Political Leadership, UN Data Shows

Recent statistics compiled by UN Women and international partners reveal that progress toward gender parity in political leadership is moving slowly and remains far from being achieved.

Women’s equal participation in political and public life remains a key requirement for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, yet global data shows women are still significantly underrepresented in decision-making roles across governments, parliaments, and local authorities.

Recent statistics compiled by UN Women and international partners reveal that progress toward gender parity in political leadership is moving slowly and remains far from being achieved.

Women in Executive Government

As of 1 January 2026, only 28 countries are led by women, with 30 women serving as Heads of State or Government worldwide.

Despite gradual progress over recent decades, experts estimate that gender equality in the highest political leadership positions could take another 130 years at the current rate of change.

Among national leaders:

• 16 countries have a woman Head of State

• 21 countries have a woman Head of Government

Women’s representation in cabinet positions also remains limited. Globally, women hold 22.4 percent of cabinet minister posts, meaning fewer than one in four national policy portfolios are led by women.

Only 14 countries have achieved gender parity in cabinet positions, where women hold at least half of ministerial portfolios.

Women cabinet ministers are most frequently assigned to portfolios related to gender equality, family and children’s affairs, and social inclusion, highlighting persistent gender stereotypes in political leadership roles.

Women in National Parliaments

Representation of women in national legislatures has improved over the past three decades but remains far from equal.

Women currently hold 27.5 percent of parliamentary seats worldwide, compared with 11 percent in 1995.

However, only seven countries have reached or exceeded 50 percent women in their single or lower parliamentary chambers:

• Rwanda (64%)

• Cuba (57%)

• Nicaragua (55%)

• Bolivia (51%)

• Andorra (50%)

• Mexico (50%)

• United Arab Emirates (50%)

Another 23 countries have achieved at least 40 percent representation, including nations across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

At the same time, 21 countries still have fewer than 10 percent women in parliament, and three legislative chambers have no women members at all.

Based on current trends, gender parity in national parliaments may not be reached until around 2063.

Regional Representation Patterns

Women’s parliamentary representation varies significantly across regions.

As of recent data:

• Latin America and the Caribbean: 37%

• Europe and Northern America: 33%

• Sub-Saharan Africa: 27%

• Eastern and South-Eastern Asia: 24%

• Oceania: 21%

• Northern Africa and Western Asia: 18.5%

• Central and Southern Asia: 17%

These disparities reflect differences in political systems, electoral laws, and cultural norms affecting women’s participation in politics.

Women in Local Government

At the local level, women’s representation is somewhat higher but still far from equal.

Data from 147 countries shows that women make up 36 percent of elected members in local deliberative bodies, representing more than three million local government representatives worldwide.

Only two countries have achieved full gender parity in local government, while 29 countries have more than 40 percent women representatives.

Regional representation in local government includes:

• Central and Southern Asia: 41%

• Europe and Northern America: 37%

• Oceania: 35%

• Eastern and South-Eastern Asia: 31%

• Latin America and the Caribbean: 31%

• Sub-Saharan Africa: 26%

• Western Asia and Northern Africa: 19%

Expanding Women’s Participation

Achieving balanced political participation between women and men has long been a global goal under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a major international framework for gender equality.

Although most countries have not yet reached parity, certain policies have helped increase women’s representation.

One of the most effective measures has been the introduction of gender quotas in elections. Evidence shows that:

• Countries with legislated candidate quotas have 5 percentage points more women in parliament

• They also have 7 percentage points more women in local government compared with countries without such laws.

Impact of Women’s Political Leadership

Research increasingly shows that women’s leadership can significantly influence policy outcomes.

For example:

• Studies of local councils in India found that areas led by women had 62 percent more drinking water projects than those led by men.

• In Norway, greater representation of women in municipal councils has been directly linked to improved childcare coverage.

Women leaders also frequently work across party lines to advance policies related to gender equality, childcare, parental leave, pensions, and protection from gender-based violence.

The Road Ahead

Despite persistent challenges, women worldwide continue to push for greater representation and influence in political life.

Experts emphasize that achieving gender parity will require:

• Legal reforms supporting equal participation

• Expanded use of gender quotas

• Greater access to political funding and resources for women candidates

• Efforts to challenge social norms and gender stereotypes

• Strong political commitment from governments and institutions

Ensuring women’s full participation in political decision-making is widely recognized as essential for stronger democracies, more inclusive governance, and sustainable development worldwide.