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Costa Rica

Legislative Assembly

Political system

Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.

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Presidential system

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Structure of parliament

Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral

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Unicameral

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IPU membership

Current membership status

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Yes

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About parliament

Basic information such as the official name of parliament and details of its structure and leadership. Also includes the current breakdown of MPs by sex and age, and provisions for quotas and reserved seats.

Parliament name
Asamblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly)
Chamber name
Asamblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly)

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Structure & status of parliament

This field is to indicate lower/upper in the back end.

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Lower chamber
Parliamentary term (years)

Length of the parliamentary term in years

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4

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IPU membership

Affiliation periods
from 1971
IPU Geopolitical Group/s

IPU Geopolitical Groups: African Group, Arab Group, Asia-Pacific Group, Eurasia Group, Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), Twelve Plus Group.

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Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC)

Speaker

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Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Rodrigo Arias Sánchez (Male)
Date of birth: 26 Jun 1946
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2022
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2022, re-elected on 1 May 2023, 1 May 2024 and on 1 May 2025.

Speaker terms

No information available

Secretary general

Official title

This post is most commonly called Secretary General or Clerk. It may also be called Secretary, Head/Chief of the Secretariat, Director General, etc.

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Acting Executive Director (Directora ejecutiva interina)
Secretary General
Karla Granados Brenes (Female)
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Secretary general

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28 Jun 2023
Notes

Additional information about the Secretary General, in particular regarding their term.

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Elected on 28 June 2023.

Members

Statutory number of members

Statutory number of members, as defined in the constitution or other fundamental law.

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57

Notes: Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.

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Principal mode of designation of members
Directly elected

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Directly elected members

Directly elected by citizens.

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57
Current number of members

Number of members who currently hold seats in parliament. May be lower or higher than the statutory number of members.

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57

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Men

The number of male parliamentarians who currently hold seats in parliament.

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27

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Women

The number of female parliamentarians who currently hold seats in parliament.

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30

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Percentage of women

Calculated by dividing the current number of women by the current number of members.

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52.6%

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Statutory number of members per country

As defined in the constitution or other fundamental laws. Combines the number of parliamentarians in both chambers in bicameral parliaments.

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57

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Population (in thousands)

Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects.

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5,106

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Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Calculated by dividing the population by the statutory number of parliamentarians.

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89,579

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Age

Data on the age of parliamentarians is collected at the start of the legislature, following the most recent elections. This data is not updated during the legislature, except when parliament notifies the IPU of a change in the youngest or oldest member.

Average age of all members

Average age of members, for which data is available, at the time of the last election or renewal.

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48.4
(2022-05 - 2026-04)

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Youngest member
Carlos Felipe García Molina (Male)
Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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25

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Oldest member
Rodrigo Arias Sánchez (Male)
Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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75

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Number of members, by age (2022-05 - 2026-04)

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Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 2 7 4 4 7 5 1 0 0 30
Female 0 2 5 5 1 11 2 1 0 0 27
Totals per age interval 0 4 12 9 5 18 7 2 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 25 Total >= 46: 32
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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7.0% 3.5% 3.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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28.1% 16% 12.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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43.9% 23% 21.1%
Members for whom data is available

Number of members, at the start of the legislature, for whom age data is available

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57
(2022-05 - 2026-04)

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Reserved seats and quotas

There are reserved seats in parliament for certain groups

Reserved seats are a means to ensure the parliamentary representation of certain groups in society.

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No

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Electoral quota for women

Quotas to promote gender-balanced representation in parliament

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Yes

Notes:

Article 2 of the Electoral Code (law No. 8765) requires that electoral lists comprise 50% women and 50% men, with gender alternation. The difference between the total number of men and women may not exceed one.
Additionally, there are voluntary party quotas.

Sources:

https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/gender-quotas-database/country?country=54

cf. Article 2 of Electoral Law 8765 of 2009 (Código Electoral 8765).

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Youth quota

Quotas to promote the representation of youth in parliament.

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No

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Links to additional information

Parliamentary website

Link(s) to parliamentary web site in English, French and/or local languages.

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List of members

Link(s) to list of members on the parliamentary web site.

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Rules of procedure/Standing Orders

Link(s) to Rules of procedure on the parliamentary web site in English, French and/or local language.

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Constitution

Official links to the Constitution in English, French and/or original language is provided. Links to unofficial translations where no other source is available.

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Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No

Historical data for Chamber name

Historical data for Chamber name
Updated at Chamber name
1949-01 Asamblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly)
- Legislative Assembly
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Rodrigo Arias Sánchez (Male)
Date of birth: 26 Jun 1946
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2022
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2022, re-elected on 1 May 2023, 1 May 2024 and on 1 May 2025.

Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Silvia Hernández Sánchez (Female)
Date of birth: 1976
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2021 to 30 Apr 2022
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2021.

Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Eduardo Newton Cruickshank Smith (Male)
Date of birth: 1958
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2020 to 30 Apr 2021
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2020.

Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Carlos Ricardo Benavides Jiménez (Male)
Date of birth: 1969
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2019 to 30 Apr 2020
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2019.

Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Carolina Hidalgo Herrera (Female)
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2018 to 30 Apr 2019

Historical data for Speaker

Historical data for Speaker
Updated at Speaker
2022-05
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Rodrigo Arias Sánchez (Male)
Date of birth: 26 Jun 1946
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2022
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2022, re-elected on 1 May 2023, 1 May 2024 and on 1 May 2025.

2021-05
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Silvia Hernández Sánchez (Female)
Date of birth: 1976
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2021 to 30 Apr 2022
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2021.

2020-05
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Eduardo Newton Cruickshank Smith (Male)
Date of birth: 1958
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2020 to 30 Apr 2021
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2020.

2019-05
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Carlos Ricardo Benavides Jiménez (Male)
Date of birth: 1969
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2019 to 30 Apr 2020
Additional information

Elected on 1 May 2019.

2018-05
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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President of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Carolina Hidalgo Herrera (Female)
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 May 2018 to 30 Apr 2019

Historical data for Statutory number of members

Historical data for Statutory number of members
Updated at Statutory number of members Notes
2021-05 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2021-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2019-05 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2018-05 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2018-02 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2018-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2017-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2016-12 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2015-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2014-05 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2014-02 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2014-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2013-05 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2013-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2012-11 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2010-02 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2010-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.
2005-01 57 Incumbent members cannot be immediately re-elected.

Historical data for Current number of members

Historical data for Current number of members
Updated at Current number of members
2024-05 57
1962-01 57
1949-01 45

Historical data for Men

Historical data for Men
Updated at Men
2026-02 27
2024-05 29
2022-02 30
2022-01 32
2021-05 31

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women
2026-02 30
2024-05 28
2022-02 27
2022-01 25
2018-02 26
2016-12 20
2014-02 19
2010-02 22
2010-01 21
2006-02 22
2002-02 18
1998-01 11
1997-01 9
1994-01 8
1990-01 7
1986-01 6
1978-01 4
1974-01 3
1970-01 4
1966-01 3
1962-01 1
1958-01 2
1953-01 3
1949-01 0

Historical data for Percentage of women

Historical data for Percentage of women
Updated at Percentage of women
2026-02 52.6%
2024-05 49.1%
2022-02 47.4%
2022-01 43.9%
2018-02 45.6%
2016-12 35.1%
2014-02 33.3%
2010-02 38.6%
2010-01 36.8%
2006-02 38.6%
2002-02 31.6%
1998-01 19.3%
1997-01 15.8%
1994-01 14.0%
1990-01 12.3%
1986-01 10.5%
1978-01 7.0%
1974-01 5.3%
1970-01 7.0%
1966-01 5.3%
1962-01 1.8%
1958-01 4.4%
1953-01 6.7%
1949-01 0.0%

Historical data for Statutory number of members per country

Historical data for Statutory number of members per country
Updated at Statutory number of members per country
2021-05 57
2021-01 57
2019-05 57
2018-05 57
2018-02 57
2018-01 57
2017-01 57
2016-12 57
2015-01 57
2014-05 57
2014-02 57
2014-01 57
2013-05 57
2013-01 57
2012-11 57
2010-02 57
2010-01 57
2005-01 57

Historical data for Population (in thousands)

Historical data for Population (in thousands)
Updated at Population (in thousands)
2023-01 5,106
2022-01 5,082
2021-01 5,060
2020-01 5,058
2015-01 4,808
2014-01 4,758
2013-01 4,706
2012-01 4,654
2011-01 4,600
2010-01 4,545
2009-01 4,488
2008-01 4,430
2007-01 4,369
2006-01 4,309
2005-01 4,248
2004-01 4,187
2003-01 4,126
2002-01 4,063
2001-01 3,997
2000-01 3,925
1999-01 3,849
1998-01 3,767
1997-01 3,683
1996-01 3,597
1995-01 3,511
1994-01 3,426
1993-01 3,341
1992-01 3,257
1991-01 3,176
1990-01 3,096
1989-01 3,019
1988-01 2,945
1987-01 2,872
1986-01 2,801
1985-01 2,730
1984-01 2,660
1983-01 2,590
1982-01 2,521
1981-01 2,454
1980-01 2,389
1979-01 2,327
1978-01 2,266
1977-01 2,208
1976-01 2,151
1975-01 2,097
1974-01 2,046
1973-01 1,996
1972-01 1,947
1971-01 1,898
1970-01 1,849
1969-01 1,798
1968-01 1,747
1967-01 1,695
1966-01 1,642
1965-01 1,590
1964-01 1,537
1963-01 1,485
1962-01 1,433
1961-01 1,382
1960-01 1,333
1959-01 1,286
1958-01 1,242
1957-01 1,199
1956-01 1,158
1955-01 1,120
1954-01 1,083
1953-01 1,048
1952-01 1,016
1951-01 986
1945-01 959

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian
Updated at Inhabitants per parliamentarian
2023-01 89,579
2022-01 89,158
2021-05 88,772
2021-01 88,772
2020-01 88,737
2019-05 84,351
2018-05 84,351
2018-02 84,351
2018-01 84,351
2017-01 84,351
2016-12 84,351
2015-01 84,351
2014-05 83,474
2014-02 83,474
2014-01 83,474
2013-05 82,561
2013-01 82,561
2012-11 81,649
2012-01 81,649
2011-01 80,702
2010-02 79,737
2010-01 79,737
2009-01 78,737
2008-01 77,719
2007-01 76,649
2006-01 75,596
2005-01 74,526

Historical data for Average age of all members

Historical data for Average age of all members
Updated at Average age of all members
2022-05 48.4
2018-05 48.9
2014-05 No information available
2010-05 52.3

Historical data for Members for whom data is available

Historical data for Members for whom data is available
Updated at Members for whom data is available
2022-05 57
2018-05 57
2014-05 57
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 2 7 4 4 7 5 1 0 0 30
Female 0 2 5 5 1 11 2 1 0 0 27
Totals per age interval 0 4 12 9 5 18 7 2 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 25 Total >= 46: 32
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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7.0% 3.5% 3.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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28.1% 16% 12.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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43.9% 23% 21.1%
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 1 6 5 1 9 8 1 0 0 31
Female 0 1 11 2 5 2 4 1 0 0 26
Totals per age interval 0 2 17 7 6 11 12 2 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 26 Total >= 46: 31
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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3.5% 1.8% 1.8%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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33.3% 12% 21.1%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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45.6% 21% 24.6%
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 0 8 5 7 11 6 0 0 0 37
Female 0 2 1 3 3 5 6 0 0 0 20
Totals per age interval 0 2 9 8 10 16 12 0 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 19 Total >= 46: 38
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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3.5% 0.0% 3.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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19.3% 14% 5.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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33.3% 23% 10.5%

Historical data for Breakdown of members by age and sex

Historical data for Breakdown of members by age and sex
Updated at Breakdown of members by age and sex
2022-05
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 2 7 4 4 7 5 1 0 0 30
Female 0 2 5 5 1 11 2 1 0 0 27
Totals per age interval 0 4 12 9 5 18 7 2 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 25 Total >= 46: 32
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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7.0% 3.5% 3.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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28.1% 16% 12.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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43.9% 23% 21.1%
2018-05
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 1 6 5 1 9 8 1 0 0 31
Female 0 1 11 2 5 2 4 1 0 0 26
Totals per age interval 0 2 17 7 6 11 12 2 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 26 Total >= 46: 31
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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3.5% 1.8% 1.8%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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33.3% 12% 21.1%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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45.6% 21% 24.6%
2014-05
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 0 8 5 7 11 6 0 0 0 37
Female 0 2 1 3 3 5 6 0 0 0 20
Totals per age interval 0 2 9 8 10 16 12 0 0 0 57
Total <= 45: 19 Total >= 46: 38
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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3.5% 0.0% 3.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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19.3% 14% 5.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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33.3% 23% 10.5%

Historical data for Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

Historical data for Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger
Updated at Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger
2022-05 7.0%
2018-05 3.5%
2014-05 3.5%