Women's Political Empowerment Index in South Africa
South Africa: Women's Political Empowerment Index 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
Women's Political Empowerment Index in South Africa, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, women's political empowerment index in South Africa stood at 0.83.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 3.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, women's political empowerment index in South Africa peaked at 0.897 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.128, in 1900.
That places South Africa 59th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Women's Political Empowerment Index 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)
- 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)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 588,323 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 594,743 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 603,304 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is women's political empowerment index in South Africa?
- Women's political empowerment index in South Africa was 0.83 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest women's political empowerment index recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.897 in 2011.
- What is the lowest women's political empowerment index recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.128 in 1900.
- How does South Africa rank for women's political empowerment index?
- South Africa ranks 59th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is women's political empowerment index 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 Women's Political Empowerment Index. 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.