How does South Africa rank globally on Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)?

In 2025, South Africa ranked #16 out of 184 countries reporting Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%).

South Africa: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)

Name: South Africa: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)
Creator: World Bank
License: https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by

In 2025, South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) was 44.86.

That's up 0.4% from 2024, the highest value since 2023.

The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 26.21 . South Africa ranks #16 globally out of 184 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #2 of 45.

Source: World Bank Open Data (SG.GEN.PARL.ZS) • Data as of 2025

Trend (2006–2025)

2020 · COVID-19 pandemic

Highlights

Peak: 46.75; 2020
Trough: 32.75; 2006
1-year change: +0.4%
5-year change: -4.0%; -0.8% / yr
10-year change: +6.8%; +0.7% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year	Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)
2025	44.8622
2024	44.7028
2023	45.8647
2022	46.5000
2021	46.5823
2020	46.7500
2019	46.3476
2018	42.7481
2017	41.8367
2016	42.0000

About Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)

Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.

Indicator code: SG.GEN.PARL.ZS • Category: Health & Population

Frequently asked questions

What was South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) in 2025?: In 2025, South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) was 44.86, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) rising or falling?: South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) rose 0.4% from 2024 to 2025.
How does South Africa rank globally on Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)?: In 2025, South Africa ranked #16 out of 184 countries reporting Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%).
How does South Africa's Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) compare to the world average?: The global average for Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) in 2025 was 26.21, so South Africa is above the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #2 of 45.
What is Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) and how is it measured?: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.

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Source: World Bank Open Data (SG.GEN.PARL.ZS), CC BY 4.0.