Decline in Female Representation in German Parliaments Continues

The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office indicates a concerning trend in the representation of women in German parliaments. Following the most recent Bundestag elections, the proportion of female representatives has decreased, marking a setback in gender parity initiatives.

Currently, women hold 32.4 percent of seats in the newly formed Bundestag. This figure represents a decline from prior years, where the female representation was recorded at 36.5 percent in 2013 and 35.7 percent in 2021. Despite the ongoing discussions regarding the importance of gender balance in politics, the overall percentage of women in the Bundestag has remained relatively unchanged since the first official measurements were taken, with a recorded 32.8 percent in the 2009 elections.

Examining the political landscape further, it is notable that only the Green Party and the Left Party have achieved a majority of female representatives, with women comprising 61.2 percent and 56.3 percent of their parliamentary groups, respectively. In contrast, the representation of women in other political parties has not reached similar levels.

The situation is not limited to the federal level; regional parliaments and local councils are facing similar challenges. Female representation in state parliaments stands at approximately 33.2 percent, while local councils see a slightly lower figure of 30.5 percent. Among the German states, Bavaria has the lowest female representation in its parliament at just 24.6 percent, followed by Saxony at 27.5 percent and Saxony-Anhalt at 27.8 percent.

On a more positive note, Hamburg has shown a commendable effort towards gender parity, with women occupying 48.8 percent of parliamentary seats. Other states with higher female representation include Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Berlin, each with figures exceeding 37 percent. In contrast, the overall percentage of women among the adult population in Germany stands at 51.7 percent, indicating a significant discrepancy in political representation.

Interestingly, the only upward trend has been observed at the municipal level, where the percentage of women in local councils has gradually increased. Although the figures for 2024 show a slight decrease to 30.5 percent from 30.3 percent in the previous year, this marks an increase from just 25.6 percent in 2008. However, disparities remain, with the lowest representation found in the municipal councils of Saxony (22 percent), Saxony-Anhalt (22.8 percent), and Baden-Württemberg (24.6 percent). Conversely, urban areas like Bremen, Hamburg, and Berlin report significantly higher female representation rates.

In a broader context, Germany ranks 44th out of over 180 countries in terms of female parliamentary representation, as per the Inter-Parliamentary Union's latest report. This ranking reflects a decline due to the latest elections, which resulted in a lower percentage of female representatives compared to the previous Bundestag. This positions Germany behind many European nations, such as Spain, where female parliamentary representation stands at 44.3 percent, and other Scandinavian countries, each exceeding 43 percent.

This persistent underrepresentation of women in political roles continues to raise concerns among advocates for gender equality, highlighting the need for policies and initiatives that effectively promote female participation in governance.