63.8% of Rwanda's parliament are women as of 2024 - highest in the world

Key Takeaways

  • Rwanda is a global leader in gender-inclusive governance, with nearly two-thirds (63.8%) of its parliament occupied by women.
  • Latin American nations dominate the list, with Cuba (55.7%), Nicaragua (55.0%), and Mexico (50.2%) showing strong female political participation.
  • The UAE stands out as the only Middle Eastern country in the top 10, achieving 50% female representation.
  • Despite being a high-income European nation, Monaco has the lowest representation among the top 10, with women holding only 45.8% of seats.

For years, gender equality in governance has been a challenge, but some nations are breaking the norm. Rwanda has redefined global politics, with 63.8% of its parliament made up of women, the highest in the world. This remarkable achievement is rooted in post-genocide reforms that prioritised gender equity in leadership.

Cuba (55.7%) and Nicaragua (55.0%) have also emerged as global leaders, reflecting a strong cultural and political push for female representation in Latin America. Meanwhile, Mexico, Andorra, and the UAE all boast at least 50% female parliamentarians, signalling significant progress in gender-balanced governance. Despite its wealth, Monaco lags with 45.8% female representation, proving that economic status doesn’t always equate to gender parity.

This ranking highlights the growing role of women in shaping policies worldwide and the varying levels of commitment to political inclusion across regions.

Source:

Global data on national parliament

Period:

Based on latest elections from 2020–2024
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