Proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal
Portugal: Proportion of women in ministerial level positions was 37.5% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal, 2005–2025
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal stood at 37.5%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.9% on the previous year and up 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal peaked at 52.9% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 12.5%, in 2008.
Portugal ranks 28th of 192 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 14 years of available data.
Proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16.7% | — |
| 2008 | 12.5% | -25.1% |
| 2010 | 31.3% | +150.4% |
| 2012 | 18.2% | -41.9% |
| 2014 | 21.4% | +17.6% |
| 2015 | 28.6% | +33.6% |
| 2016 | 22.2% | -22.4% |
| 2018 | 29.4% | +32.4% |
| 2019 | 42.1% | +43.2% |
| 2020 | 42.1% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 41.2% | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 52.9% | +28.6% |
| 2024 | 41.2% | -22.2% |
| 2025 | 37.5% | -8.9% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 37.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 28.6%, 1.3× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 37.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28.6%, 1.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14.6% | 12.5% | 16.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 27.6% | 18.2% | 42.1% | 7 |
| 2020s | 43.0% | 37.5% | 52.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More gender data for Portugal
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 1,308 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.1109 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 9,009 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 9,009 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate -0.2323 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 41,963 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 44,232 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 42,382 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 44,580 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 42,087 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal?
- Proportion of women in ministerial level positions in Portugal was 37.5% in 2025, according to Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics.
- What is the highest proportion of women in ministerial level positions recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 52.9% in 2023.
- What is the lowest proportion of women in ministerial level positions recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.5% in 2008.
- How does Portugal rank for proportion of women in ministerial level positions?
- Portugal ranks 28th out of 192 countries with data for 2025.
- Is proportion of women in ministerial level positions rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from Inter-Parliamentary Union. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Women in Politics, published as part of Proportion of women in ministerial level positions (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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.