Least developed countries vs South Africa: Proportion of women in ministerial level positions

Least developed countries
20.6%
in 2025
South Africa
40.6%
in 2025
Least developed countries rank
24th
South Africa rank
22nd

Proportion of women in ministerial level positions over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
1020304050200520152025

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 40.6% against 20.6% in Least developed countries, a difference of 20.0%.

That makes South Africa's figure about 2.0 times Least developed countries's.

Across all 14 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 47 groups.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 14.5% 43.1% 28.6% South Africa
2010s 17.9% 41.7% 23.7% South Africa
2020s 21.2% 46.2% 25.0% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher proportion of women in ministerial level positions, Least developed countries or South Africa?
South Africa, at 40.6% against 20.6% in Least developed countries as of 2025.
What is the difference in proportion of women in ministerial level positions between Least developed countries and South Africa?
20.0%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
14 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2025.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for proportion of women in ministerial level positions?
Least developed countries ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 47 groups.
Where does this data come from?
Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics, published as Proportion of women in ministerial level positions (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Proportion of women in ministerial level positions. Statizoid, drawing on Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/compare/proportion-of-women-in-ministerial-level-positions-percent/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of women in ministerial level positions (%)
Unit
%
Source
Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
239 places, 3,282 data points, 2005–2025
Last refreshed

Women in ministerial level positions is the proportion of women in ministerial or equivalent positions (including deputy prime ministers) in the government. Prime Ministers/Heads of Government are included when they hold ministerial portfolios. Vice-Presidents and heads of governmental or public agencies are excluded.