Key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa
South Africa: Key features of women's political empowerment was 0.83 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
0.83
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
59th
of 176 countries
All-time high
0.897
in 2011
All-time low
0.128
in 1900
Years of data
123
1900–2025
Key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa is 0.83, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.1% on the previous year and down 3.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa peaked at 0.897 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.128, in 1900.
South Africa ranks 59th of 176 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 0.128 | — |
| 1901 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 0.128 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 0.129 | +0.8% |
| 1911 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 0.129 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 0.165 | +27.9% |
| 1927 | 0.165 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 0.165 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 0.165 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 0.174 | +5.5% |
| 1931 | 0.188 | +8.0% |
| 1932 | 0.188 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 0.196 | +4.3% |
| 1937 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 0.192 | -2.0% |
| 1944 | 0.192 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 0.192 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 0.192 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 0.192 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 0.196 | +2.1% |
| 1949 | 0.199 | +1.5% |
| 1950 | 0.205 | +3.0% |
| 1951 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 0.209 | +2.0% |
| 1954 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 0.205 | -1.9% |
| 1959 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 0.209 | +2.0% |
| 1961 | 0.213 | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 0.213 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 0.213 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 0.213 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 0.213 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 0.209 | -1.9% |
| 1967 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 0.209 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 0.205 | -1.9% |
| 1975 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 0.205 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 0.208 | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 0.212 | +1.9% |
| 1982 | 0.212 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 0.212 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 0.219 | +3.3% |
| 1985 | 0.219 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 0.219 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 0.219 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 0.227 | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 0.233 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 0.249 | +6.9% |
| 1991 | 0.259 | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 0.259 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 0.265 | +2.3% |
| 1994 | 0.822 | +210.2% |
| 1995 | 0.869 | +5.7% |
| 1996 | 0.873 | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 0.863 | -1.1% |
| 1998 | 0.863 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 0.871 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 0.876 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 0.877 | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 0.877 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 0.876 | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 0.879 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 0.884 | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 0.882 | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 0.884 | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 0.882 | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 0.89 | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 0.894 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 0.897 | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 0.897 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 0.861 | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 0.86 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 0.858 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 0.858 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 0.86 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 0.858 | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 0.848 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 0.825 | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 0.835 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 0.831 | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 0.827 | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 0.839 | +1.5% |
| 2025 | 0.83 | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0.128 | 0.128 | 0.128 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.129 | 0.129 | 0.129 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.1434 | 0.129 | 0.165 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.1906 | 0.174 | 0.196 | 7 |
| 1940s | 0.1943 | 0.192 | 0.199 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.207 | 0.205 | 0.209 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.211 | 0.209 | 0.213 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.2066 | 0.205 | 0.209 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.218 | 0.208 | 0.233 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.6193 | 0.249 | 0.873 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.8807 | 0.876 | 0.89 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.8691 | 0.848 | 0.897 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.8312 | 0.825 | 0.839 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 56 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 0.838 compare
- 57 Tanzania, United Republic of 0.834 compare
- 58 Argentina 0.832 compare
- 60 United States of America 0.829 compare
- 61 Dominican Republic 0.825 compare
- 62 North Macedonia 0.824 compare
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 51,011 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 51,011 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa?
- Key features of women's political empowerment in South Africa was 0.83 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key features of women's political empowerment recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.897 in 2011.
- What is the lowest key features of women's political empowerment recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.128 in 1900.
- How does South Africa rank for key features of women's political empowerment?
- South Africa ranks 59th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key features of women's political empowerment rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key features of women's political empowerment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 123 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which women enjoy civil liberties, can participate in civil society, and are represented in politics.