Countries where political representation of women is highest

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October 17, 2018
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Countries where political representation of women is highest

1992 was declared "The Year of the Woman" after an unprecedented number of women candidates were listed on ballots in major federal races. 24 women were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Senate tripled the number of women in its chamber. 2018 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year for political representation. More women than ever are running for office, with a record-smashing 256 winning their primaries. The question of whether these women will win their races will only be answered on Election Day this November.

If they do, it would mark a meaningful improvement to women's political representation in the United States. The World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report uses global data to create indices that measure gender equality around the world. Stacker examined the political empowerment index, which compares countries based on the ratio of women to men in their national governments, to rank the top 50 countries where political representation of women is highest.

Unfortunately, the U.S. does not appear on this list. According to the index, which weighs the ratios of women to men in parliament (31%) and ministerial positions (24.7%) alongside the ratios of how long there's been a female head of state compared to a male head of state in the last 50 years (44.3%), the United States is ranked #96.

Read on to discover the countries with the best gender equality in politics. 

ALSO: Countries where political representation of women is lowest

#50. Ethiopia

Political empowerment index score: 0.223

Women in parliament: 38.8% (Rank: #17; Female/male ratio: 0.63)

Women in ministerial positions: 10% (Rank: #109; Female/male ratio: 0.11)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #115 (Score: 0.656)

#49. Poland

Political empowerment index score: 0.23

Women in parliament: 28% (Rank: #47; Female/male ratio: 0.39)

Women in ministerial positions: 22.7% (Rank: #53; Female/male ratio: 0.29)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 3.8 (Rank: #31; Female/male ratio: 0.08)

Overall gender gap rank: #39 (Score: 0.728)

#48. Australia

Political empowerment index score: 0.232

Women in parliament: 28.7% (Rank: #45; Female/male ratio: 0.4)

Women in ministerial positions: 24.1% (Rank: #43; Female/male ratio: 0.32)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 3 (Rank: #35; Female/male ratio: 0.06)

Overall gender gap rank: #35 (Score: 0.731)

#47. Israel

Political empowerment index score: 0.232

Women in parliament: 27.5% (Rank: #51; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Women in ministerial positions: 19% (Rank: #73; Female/male ratio: 0.24)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 5.7 (Rank: #22; Female/male ratio: 0.13)

Overall gender gap rank: #44 (Score: 0.721)

#46. Italy

Political empowerment index score: 0.234

Women in parliament: 31% (Rank: #41; Female/male ratio: 0.45)

Women in ministerial positions: 27.8% (Rank: #29; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #82 (Score: 0.692)

#45. Liberia

Political empowerment index score: 0.236

Women in parliament: 12.3% (Rank: #115; Female/male ratio: 0.14)

Women in ministerial positions: 15.8% (Rank: #88; Female/male ratio: 0.19)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 12.4 (Rank: #9; Female/male ratio: 0.33)

Overall gender gap rank: #107 (Score: 0.669)

#44. Tanzania

Political empowerment index score: 0.239

Women in parliament: 36.4% (Rank: #24; Female/male ratio: 0.57)

Women in ministerial positions: 20% (Rank: #68; Female/male ratio: 0.25)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #68 (Score: 0.7)

#43. Portugal

Political empowerment index score: 0.24

Women in parliament: 34.8% (Rank: #28; Female/male ratio: 0.53)

Women in ministerial positions: 22.2% (Rank: #56; Female/male ratio: 0.29)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.4 (Rank: #58; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #33 (Score: 0.734)

#42. Lithuania

Political empowerment index score: 0.241

Women in parliament: 21.3% (Rank: #73; Female/male ratio: 0.27)

Women in ministerial positions: 21.4% (Rank: #63; Female/male ratio: 0.27)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 8.4 (Rank: #16; Female/male ratio: 0.2)

Overall gender gap rank: #28 (Score: 0.742)

#41. Latvia

Political empowerment index score: 0.246

Women in parliament: 16% (Rank: #101; Female/male ratio: 0.19)

Women in ministerial positions: 23.1% (Rank: #49; Female/male ratio: 0.3)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 39.9 (Rank: #14; Female/male ratio: 0.25)

Overall gender gap rank: #20 (Score: 0.756)

#40. Burundi

Political empowerment index score: 0.255

Women in parliament: 36.4% (Rank: #25; Female/male ratio: 0.57)

Women in ministerial positions: 22.7% (Rank: #53; Female/male ratio: 0.29)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.6 (Rank: #56; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #22 (Score: 0.755)

#39. Angola

Political empowerment index score: 0.262

Women in parliament: 38.2% (Rank: #18; Female/male ratio: 0.62)

Women in ministerial positions: 22.2% (Rank: #56; Female/male ratio: 0.29)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #123 (Score: 0.64)

#38. Serbia

Political empowerment index score: 0.262

Women in parliament: 34.4% (Rank: #30; Female/male ratio: 0.52)

Women in ministerial positions: 26.3% (Rank: #35; Female/male ratio: 0.36)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 1.3 (Rank: #49; Female/male ratio: 0.03)

Overall gender gap rank: #40 (Score: 0.727)

#37. Belgium

Political empowerment index score: 0.264

Women in parliament: 38% (Rank: #19; Female/male ratio: 0.61)

Women in ministerial positions: 23.1% (Rank: #49; Female/male ratio: 0.3)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #31 (Score: 0.739)

#36. Chile

Political empowerment index score: 0.266

Women in parliament: 15.8% (Rank: #104; Female/male ratio: 0.19)

Women in ministerial positions: 34.8% (Rank: #21; Female/male ratio: 0.53)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 7.3 (Rank: #18; Female/male ratio: 0.17)

Overall gender gap rank: #63 (Score: 0.704)

#35. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Political empowerment index score: 0.275

Women in parliament: 0.279% (Rank: #72; Female/male ratio: 0.27)

Women in ministerial positions: 22.2% (Rank: #56; Female/male ratio: 0.29)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 10.7 (Rank: #13; Female/male ratio: 0.27)

Overall gender gap rank: #66 (Score: 0.702)

#34. Mexico

Political empowerment index score: 0.276

Women in parliament: 42.6% (Rank: #7; Female/male ratio: 0.74)

Women in ministerial positions: 15.8% (Rank: #88; Female/male ratio: 0.19)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #81 (Score: 0.692)

#33. Peru

Political empowerment index score: 0.277

Women in parliament: 27.7% (Rank: #49; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Women in ministerial positions: 36.8% (Rank: #17; Female/male ratio: 0.58)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 1.5 (Rank: #47; Female/male ratio: 0.03)

Overall gender gap rank: #48 (Score: 0.719)

#32. Ecuador

Political empowerment index score: 0.283

Women in parliament: 38% (Rank: #20; Female/male ratio: 0.61)

Women in ministerial positions: 27.5% (Rank: #30; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #42 (Score: 0.724)

#31. Albania

Political empowerment index score: 0.284

Women in parliament: 27.9% (Rank: #48; Female/male ratio: 0.39)

Women in ministerial positions: 40% (Rank: #10; Female/male ratio: 0.67)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #38 (Score: 0.728)

#30. Uganda

Political empowerment index score: 0.305

Women in parliament: 34.3% (Rank: #31; Female/male ratio: 0.52)

Women in ministerial positions: 36.7% (Rank: #18; Female/male ratio: 0.58)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #45 (Score: 0.721)

#29. Senegal

Political empowerment index score: 0.308

Women in parliament: 41.8% (Rank: #9; Female/male ratio: 0.72)

Women in ministerial positions: 20% (Rank: #68; Female/male ratio: 0.25)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 2.5 (Rank: #39; Female/male ratio: 0.05)

Overall gender gap rank: #91 (Score: 0.684)

#28. Switzerland

Political empowerment index score: 0.314

Women in parliament: 32.5% (Rank: #35; Female/male ratio: 0.48)

Women in ministerial positions: 28.6% (Rank: #27; Female/male ratio: 0.4)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 6.5 (Rank: #20; Female/male ratio: 0.15)

Overall gender gap rank: #21 (Score: 0.755)

#27. Costa Rica

Political empowerment index score: 0.314

Women in parliament: 35.1% (Rank: #27; Female/male ratio: 0.54)

Women in ministerial positions: 30.4% (Rank: #25; Female/male ratio: 0.44)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 4 (Rank: #30; Female/male ratio: 0.09)

Overall gender gap rank: #41 (Score: 0.727)

#26. Namibia

Political empowerment index score: 0.318

Women in parliament: 41.3% (Rank: #11; Female/male ratio: 0.7)

Women in ministerial positions: 24% (Rank: #44; Female/male ratio: 0.32)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 2.3 (Rank: #41; Female/male ratio: 0.05)

Overall gender gap rank: #13 (Score: 0.777)

#25. Netherlands

Political empowerment index score: 0.323

Women in parliament: 36% (Rank: #26; Female/male ratio: 0.56)

Women in ministerial positions: 37.5% (Rank: #15; Female/male ratio: 0.6)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #32 (Score: 0.737)

#24. Mozambique

Political empowerment index score: 0.34

Women in parliament: 39.6% (Rank: #13; Female/male ratio: 0.66)

Women in ministerial positions: 23.8% (Rank: #46; Female/male ratio: 0.31)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 5.9 (Rank: #21; Female/male ratio: 0.13)

Overall gender gap rank: #29 (Score: 0.741)

#23. Bulgaria

Political empowerment index score: 0.346

Women in parliament: 23.8% (Rank: #63; Female/male ratio: 0.31)

Women in ministerial positions: 52.9% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.13)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.3 (Rank: #61; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #18 (Score: 0.756)

#22. Spain

Political empowerment index score: 0.354

Women in parliament: 39.1% (Rank: #14; Female/male ratio: 0.64)

Women in ministerial positions: 38.5% (Rank: #13; Female/male ratio: 0.63)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #24 (Score: 0.746)

#21. Argentina

Political empowerment index score: 0.356

Women in parliament: 38.9% (Rank: #16; Female/male ratio: 0.64)

Women in ministerial positions: 17.4% (Rank: #81; Female/male ratio: 0.21)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 9.7 (Rank: #15; Female/male ratio: 0.24)

Overall gender gap rank: #34 (Score: 0.732)

#20. Canada

Political empowerment index score: 0.361

Women in parliament: 26.3% (Rank: #56; Female/male ratio: 0.36)

Women in ministerial positions: 51.7% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.07)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.4 (Rank: #59; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #16 (Score: 0.769)

#19. Cuba

Political empowerment index score: 0.382

Women in parliament: 48.9% (Rank: #3; Female/male ratio: 0.96)

Women in ministerial positions: 25.9% (Rank: #37; Female/male ratio: 0.35)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #25 (Score: 0.745)

#18. South Africa

Political empowerment index score: 0.399

Women in parliament: 41.8% (Rank: #10; Female/male ratio: 0.72)

Women in ministerial positions: 41.7% (Rank: #9; Female/male ratio: 0.71)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #68; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #19 (Score: 0.756)

#17. United Kingdom

Political empowerment index score: 0.404

Women in parliament: 32% (Rank: #38; Female/male ratio: 0.47)

Women in ministerial positions: 30.8% (Rank: #23; Female/male ratio: 0.44)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 12.5 (Rank: #8; Female/male ratio: 0.33)

Overall gender gap rank: #15 (Score: 0.77)

#16. Denmark

Political empowerment index score: 0.406

Women in parliament: 37.4% (Rank: #21; Female/male ratio: 0.6)

Women in ministerial positions: 42.9% (Rank: #8; Female/male ratio: 0.75)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 3.7 (Rank: #32; Female/male ratio: 0.08)

Overall gender gap rank: #14 (Score: 0.776)

#15. India

Political empowerment index score: 0.407

Women in parliament: 11.8% (Rank: #118; Female/male ratio: 0.13)

Women in ministerial positions: 18.5% (Rank: #76; Female/male ratio: 0.23)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 20.5 (Rank: #3; Female/male ratio: 0.7)

Overall gender gap rank: #108 (Score: 0.669)

#14. Bolivia

Political empowerment index score: 0.408

Women in parliament: 53.1% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.13)

Women in ministerial positions: 27.3% (Rank: #31; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.7 (Rank: #55; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #17 (Score: 0.758)

#13. Philippines

Political empowerment index score: 0.416

Women in parliament: 29.5% (Rank: #44; Female/male ratio: 0.42)

Women in ministerial positions: 25% (Rank: #39; Female/male ratio: 0.33)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 15.8 (Rank: #5; Female/male ratio: 0.46)

Overall gender gap rank: #10 (Score: 0.79)

#12. New Zealand

Political empowerment index score: 0.43

Women in parliament: 34.2% (Rank: #32; Female/male ratio: 0.52)

Women in ministerial positions: 37% (Rank: #16; Female/male ratio: 0.59)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 11 (Rank: #12; Female/male ratio: 0.28)

Overall gender gap rank: #9 (Score: 0.791)

#11. Slovenia

Political empowerment index score: 0.44

Women in parliament: 36.7% (Rank: #23; Female/male ratio: 0.58)

Women in ministerial positions: 50% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 1.5 (Rank: #48; Female/male ratio: 0.03)

Overall gender gap rank: #7 (Score: 0.805)

#10. Germany

Political empowerment index score: 0.447

Women in parliament: 37% (Rank: #22; Female/male ratio: 0.59)

Women in ministerial positions: 33.3% (Rank: #22; Female/male ratio: 0.5)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 12.1 (Rank: #10; Female/male ratio: 0.32)

Overall gender gap rank: #12 (Score: 0.778)

#9. France

Political empowerment index score: 0.453

Women in parliament: 39% (Rank: #15; Female/male ratio: 0.64)

Women in ministerial positions: 52.9% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.13)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.9 (Rank: #52; Female/male ratio: 0.02)

Overall gender gap rank: #11 (Score: 0.778)

#8. Sweden

Political empowerment index score: 0.486

Women in parliament: 43.6% (Rank: #6; Female/male ratio: 0.77)

Women in ministerial positions: 52.2% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.09)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0 (Rank: #69; Female/male ratio: 0)

Overall gender gap rank: #5 (Score: 0.816)

#7. Bangladesh

Political empowerment index score: 0.493

Women in parliament: 20.3% (Rank: #78; Female/male ratio: 0.25)

Women in ministerial positions: 6.3% (Rank: #122; Female/male ratio: 0.07)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 26.4 (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 0.9)

Overall gender gap rank: #47 (Score: 0.719)

#6. Ireland

Political empowerment index score: 0.493

Women in parliament: 22.2% (Rank: #70; Female/male ratio: 0.28)

Women in ministerial positions: 26.7% (Rank: #33; Female/male ratio: 0.36)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 20.8 (Rank: #2; Female/male ratio: 0.71)

Overall gender gap rank: #8 (Score: 0.794)

#5. Finland

Political empowerment index score: 0.519

Women in parliament: 42% (Rank: #8; Female/male ratio: 0.72)

Women in ministerial positions: 38.5% (Rank: #13; Female/male ratio: 0.63)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 12 (Rank: #11; Female/male ratio: 0.32)

Overall gender gap rank: #3 (Score: 0.823)

#4. Norway

Political empowerment index score: 0.53

Women in parliament: 39.6% (Rank: #12; Female/male ratio: 0.66)

Women in ministerial positions: 38.9% (Rank: #12; Female/male ratio: 0.64)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 13.8 (Rank: #6; Female/male ratio: 0.38)

Overall gender gap rank: #2 (Score: 0.83)

#3. Rwanda

Political empowerment index score: 0.539

Women in parliament: 61.3% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.58)

Women in ministerial positions: 47.4% (Rank: #7; Female/male ratio: 0.9)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 0.7 (Rank: #53; Female/male ratio: 0.01)

Overall gender gap rank: #4 (Score: 0.822)

#2. Nicaragua

Political empowerment index score: 0.576

Women in parliament: 45.7% (Rank: #5; Female/male ratio: 0.84)

Women in ministerial positions: 52.9% (Rank: #1; Female/male ratio: 1.13)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 6.7 (Rank: #19; Female/male ratio: 0.16)

Overall gender gap rank: #6 (Score: 0.814)

#1. Iceland

Political empowerment index score: 0.75

Women in parliament: 47.6% (Rank: #4; Female/male ratio: 0.91)

Women in ministerial positions: 40% (Rank: #10; Female/male ratio: 0.67)

Years with female head of state (of the last 50): 20.3 (Rank: #4; Female/male ratio: 0.68)

Overall gender gap rank: #1 (Score: 0.878)

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