Poster: Women political leaders 2025

This poster presents data on women in executive positions, including Heads of State, Heads of Government, and Cabinet members heading ministries. Data as of 1 January 2025 reveal the persistent underrepresentation of women in executive leadership worldwide, underscoring that gender parity remains an unmet goal.

Only 25 countries are led by a woman, while women account for just 22.9 per cent of Cabinet ministers—a 0.4 percentage point decrease from 2024. Women continue to be largely concentrated in portfolios associated with gender equality, family and children’s affairs, and social affairs. In contrast, men remain overwhelmingly dominant in critical policy domains such defence, financial and fiscal affairs, and foreign affairs—positions that shape national agendas and global priorities.