Gender parity in politics goes beyond merely counting the number of women in parliament or ministerial roles. Women from diverse backgrounds must be able to participate in politics without discrimination, have the opportunity to meaningfully influence policy making, and ensure that public services reflect the distinct needs of both women and men. While gender-balanced representation involves more than numbers, collecting and publishing gender-disaggregated data is necessary for identifying disparities and creating policies that promote inclusiveness.
The representation of women in parliament has improved in nearly all OECD countries over the last decade, although inequalities persist. In 2025, women held an average of 34% of seats in the lower or single houses of parliament in OECD countries, up from 26% in 2012. While this is a notable improvement, it highlights the need to maintain and strengthen efforts towards parity (Figure 13.12).
Progress varies widely among countries. Mexico has achieved full gender parity, with women holding 50% of seats, while Costa Rica is close, with 49.1%. Four other OECD countries have more than 45% female representation in parliament: Iceland (46.0%), Finland (45.5%), New Zealand (45.5%), and Sweden (45.0%). The largest gains since 2012 were in Chile (+20.9 percentage points), the United Kingdom (+18.2 p.p.), and Colombia (+17.3 p.p.). Despite these advances, in 17 out of 38 OECD countries (45%), women still hold less than one-third of parliamentary seats (Figure 13.12).
OECD countries have implemented a range of strategies to enhance women's representation in parliaments, including mandatory quotas, voluntary targets, mentorship programmes and other initiatives to make parliamentary workplaces more inclusive (OECD, 2023a). Electoral quotas, adopted by most OECD countries, remain a key tool in promoting gender parity in politics (Figure 13.12). However, for lasting impact, these quotas should be complemented by broader measures that support gender equality beyond electoral processes (OECD, 2023b).
A gender-balanced cabinet signals a government’s dedication to gender parity and the integration of a gender perspective in key policy decisions. As of 2025, women held an average of 35% of cabinet positions across OECD countries, though representation varies significantly (Figure 13.13). Finland (61%), Iceland (60%), Estonia (58%), Chile (50%), Spain (50%), and the United Kingdom (50%) were the six OECD countries where women comprised at least half of the political executive. Conversely, in 15 out of 38 countries (39%), women held one third or less of cabinet minister positions. Moreover, achieving true gender parity requires not only increasing women’s overall representation but also ensuring a more balanced distribution of ministerial responsibilities: gender disparities are often reflected in portfolio allocation, with women more likely assigned to social and cultural portfolios, such as gender parity, family affairs, social protection, and minority rights (IPU/UN Women 2025).
