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France

Senate

Political system

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

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Presidential-Parliamentary

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Structure of parliament

Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral

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Bicameral

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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
Parlement (Parliament)
Chamber name
Sénat (Senate)

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Structure & status of parliament

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

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Upper chamber
Parliamentary term (years)

Length of the parliamentary term in years

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6

Notes: Parliamentary term: 6 years; one half of the membership is renewed every three years

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IPU membership

Affiliation periods
from 1889
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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Twelve Plus Group

Speaker

Official title

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

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President of the Senate
Speaker
Gérard Larcher (Male)
Date of birth: 14 Sep 1949
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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01 Oct 2014
Additional information

Elected on 1 Oct. 2014, re-elected on 2 Oct. 2017, 1 Oct. 2020 and on 2 Oct. 2023.

Speaker terms

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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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Secretary General of the Senate
Secretary General
Eric Tavernier (Male)
Term

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

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31 Mar 2020
Notes

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

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31 March 2020 -

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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Secretary General of the Questor's office
Secretary General
Marianne Bay (Female)
Term

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

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07 Nov 2018
Notes

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

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Appointed on 7 Nov. 2018.

Members

Statutory number of members

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

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348

Notes: Indirect election by popularly chosen departmental electoral colleges.

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Principal mode of designation of members
Indirectly elected

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Indirectly elected members

Indirectly elected, for example by regional parliaments or an electoral college.

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348
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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348

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Men

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

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214

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Women

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

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134

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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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38.5%

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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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925

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Population (in thousands)

Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects.

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66,439

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Inhabitants per parliamentarian

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

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71,826

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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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59.9
(2023-10)

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Youngest member
Mathilde Ollivier (Female)

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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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29

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Oldest member
Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe (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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84

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Number of members, by age (2023-10)

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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 1 10 11 20 56 88 34 2 0 222
Female 0 1 4 6 12 48 47 8 0 0 126
Totals per age interval 0 2 14 17 32 104 135 42 2 0 348
Total <= 45: 33 Total >= 46: 315
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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0.6% 0.3% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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4.6% 3% 1.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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9.5% 6% 3.2%
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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348
(2023-10)

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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: Legislated Candidate Quota. The principle of equal access is enshrined in the Constitution. There should be alternation of male and female candidates. The difference between the number of candidates of each gender cannot be greater than 1.

Sources: Constitution, Articles 1(2), 3 and 4. Electoral Code, Articles L300 (1) and L299 (1).

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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
1946-12 Sénat (Senate)
- Senate
The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house

The term of the Speaker may be different from the term of the House (legislature).

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No
Speaker's term

The term may be shorter than one year.

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3 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any

Speakers in several parliaments are elected on a fixed date in accordance with the Constitution.

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No information available
The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house

The term of the Speaker may be different from the term of the House (legislature).

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No
Speaker's term

The term may be shorter than one year.

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3 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any

Speakers in several parliaments are elected on a fixed date in accordance with the Constitution.

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No information available

Historical data for Speaker terms

Historical data for Speaker terms
Updated at Speaker terms
2023-01
The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house

The term of the Speaker may be different from the term of the House (legislature).

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No
Speaker's term

The term may be shorter than one year.

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3 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any

Speakers in several parliaments are elected on a fixed date in accordance with the Constitution.

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No information available
2017-10
The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house

The term of the Speaker may be different from the term of the House (legislature).

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No
Speaker's term

The term may be shorter than one year.

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3 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any

Speakers in several parliaments are elected on a fixed date in accordance with the Constitution.

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No information available

Historical data for Statutory number of members

Historical data for Statutory number of members
Updated at Statutory number of members Notes
2021-01 348 Indirect election by popularly chosen departmental electoral colleges.
2015-01 348 Indirect election by popularly chosen departmental electoral colleges.
2014-09 348 Indirect election by popularly chosen departmental electoral colleges.
2005-01 348 Indirect election by popularly chosen departmental electoral colleges.

Historical data for Current number of members

Historical data for Current number of members
Updated at Current number of members
2014-09 348
2014-01 347
2011-09 348
2008-09 343
2007-01 330
2004-09 331
2004-01 321
2001-01 320
1989-01 321
1986-01 319
1983-01 317
1980-01 304
1977-01 295
1968-01 283
1962-01 274
1959-01 307
1958-01 314
1951-01 319
1948-01 320
1946-12 314

Historical data for Men

Historical data for Men
Updated at Men
2025-12 214
2024-12 219
2023-09 222
2021-09 226
2020-12 227
2019-12 232
2018-12 236

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women
2025-12 134
2024-12 129
2023-09 126
2021-09 122
2020-12 121
2019-12 116
2018-12 112
2017-09 102
2016-12 95
2014-09 87
2014-01 78
2013-01 87
2011-09 77
2008-09 75
2007-01 60
2004-09 56
2001-01 35
1998-01 19
1995-01 18
1992-01 16
1989-01 10
1983-01 9
1980-01 7
1977-01 5
1974-01 7
1971-01 4
1959-01 5
1958-01 6
1951-01 9
1948-01 12
1946-12 21

Historical data for Percentage of women

Historical data for Percentage of women
Updated at Percentage of women
2025-12 38.5%
2024-12 37.1%
2023-09 36.2%
2021-09 35.1%
2020-12 34.8%
2019-12 33.3%
2018-12 32.2%
2017-09 29.3%
2016-12 27.3%
2014-09 25.0%
2014-01 22.5%
2013-01 25.0%
2011-09 22.1%
2008-09 21.9%
2007-01 18.2%
2004-09 16.9%
2004-01 10.9%
2001-01 10.9%
1998-01 5.9%
1995-01 5.6%
1992-01 5.0%
1989-01 3.1%
1986-01 2.8%
1983-01 2.8%
1980-01 2.3%
1977-01 1.7%
1974-01 2.5%
1971-01 1.4%
1968-01 1.8%
1962-01 1.8%
1959-01 1.6%
1958-01 1.9%
1951-01 2.8%
1948-01 3.8%
1946-12 6.7%

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
2021-01 925
2015-01 925
2014-09 925
2005-01 925

Historical data for Population (in thousands)

Historical data for Population (in thousands)
Updated at Population (in thousands)
2023-01 66,439
2022-01 66,277
2021-01 66,084
2015-01 64,457
2014-01 64,191
2013-01 63,920
2012-01 63,640
2011-01 63,344
2010-01 63,027
2009-01 62,688
2008-01 62,330
2007-01 61,961
2006-01 61,593
2005-01 61,234
2004-01 60,887
2003-01 60,550
2002-01 60,225
2001-01 59,911
2000-01 59,608
1999-01 59,316
1998-01 59,035
1997-01 58,763
1996-01 58,500
1995-01 58,242
1994-01 57,991
1993-01 57,745
1992-01 57,497
1991-01 57,238
1990-01 56,961
1989-01 56,663
1988-01 56,348
1987-01 56,025
1986-01 55,704
1985-01 55,397
1984-01 55,103
1983-01 54,818
1982-01 54,548
1981-01 54,298
1980-01 54,071
1979-01 53,872
1978-01 53,696
1977-01 53,516
1976-01 53,296
1975-01 53,011
1974-01 52,646
1973-01 52,212
1972-01 51,740
1971-01 51,273
1970-01 50,844
1969-01 50,466
1968-01 50,127
1967-01 49,792
1966-01 49,411
1965-01 48,952
1964-01 48,403
1963-01 47,781
1962-01 47,121
1961-01 46,471
1960-01 45,865
1959-01 45,319
1958-01 44,828
1957-01 44,376
1956-01 43,946
1955-01 43,528
1954-01 43,118
1953-01 42,724
1952-01 42,366
1951-01 42,071
1950-01 41,880

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian
Updated at Inhabitants per parliamentarian
2023-01 71,826
2022-01 71,651
2021-01 71,442
2015-01 69,683
2014-09 69,396
2014-01 69,396
2013-01 69,103
2012-01 68,800
2011-01 68,480
2010-01 68,137
2009-01 67,771
2008-01 67,384
2007-01 66,985
2006-01 66,587
2005-01 66,199

Historical data for Average age of all members

Historical data for Average age of all members
Updated at Average age of all members
2023-10 59.9
2020-10 60.4
2014-10 No information available
2011-10 57.0

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
2023-10 348
2020-10 348
2017-10 345
2014-10 No information available
- 344
Youngest member
Mathilde Ollivier (Female)
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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29
Youngest member
Christine Lavarde (Female)
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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32
Youngest member
Cécile Cukierman (Female)
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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35

Historical data for Youngest member

Historical data for Youngest member
Updated at Youngest member
2023-10
Youngest member
Mathilde Ollivier (Female)
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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29
2020-10 No information available
2017-10
Youngest member
Christine Lavarde (Female)
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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32
2014-10 No information available
2011-10
Youngest member
Cécile Cukierman (Female)
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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35
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 10 11 20 56 88 34 2 0 222
Female 0 1 4 6 12 48 47 8 0 0 126
Totals per age interval 0 2 14 17 32 104 135 42 2 0 348
Total <= 45: 33 Total >= 46: 315
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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0.6% 0.3% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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4.6% 3% 1.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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9.5% 6% 3.2%
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 8 9 23 65 88 33 1 0 228
Female 0 0 3 4 9 50 48 6 0 0 120
Totals per age interval 0 1 11 13 32 115 136 39 1 0 348
Total <= 45: 25 Total >= 46: 323
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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0.3% 0.3% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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3.4% 3% 0.9%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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7.2% 5% 2.0%
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 5 13 14 66 103 37 0 0 238
Female 0 0 1 3 15 44 37 7 0 0 107
Totals per age interval 0 0 6 16 29 110 140 44 0 0 345
Total <= 45: 22 Total >= 46: 323
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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0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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1.7% 1% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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6.4% 5% 1.2%
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 2 2 10 44 131 69 6 0 264
Female 0 0 1 6 2 26 36 8 1 0 80
Totals per age interval 0 0 3 8 12 70 167 77 7 0 344
Total <= 45: 11 Total >= 46: 333
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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0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

0.9% 1% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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3.2% 1% 2.0%

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
2023-10
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 10 11 20 56 88 34 2 0 222
Female 0 1 4 6 12 48 47 8 0 0 126
Totals per age interval 0 2 14 17 32 104 135 42 2 0 348
Total <= 45: 33 Total >= 46: 315
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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0.6% 0.3% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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4.6% 3% 1.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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9.5% 6% 3.2%
2020-10
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 8 9 23 65 88 33 1 0 228
Female 0 0 3 4 9 50 48 6 0 0 120
Totals per age interval 0 1 11 13 32 115 136 39 1 0 348
Total <= 45: 25 Total >= 46: 323
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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0.3% 0.3% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

3.4% 3% 0.9%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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7.2% 5% 2.0%
2017-10
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 5 13 14 66 103 37 0 0 238
Female 0 0 1 3 15 44 37 7 0 0 107
Totals per age interval 0 0 6 16 29 110 140 44 0 0 345
Total <= 45: 22 Total >= 46: 323
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

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

Compare data of this field

1.7% 1% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

6.4% 5% 1.2%
2014-10 No information available
2011-10
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 2 2 10 44 131 69 6 0 264
Female 0 0 1 6 2 26 36 8 1 0 80
Totals per age interval 0 0 3 8 12 70 167 77 7 0 344
Total <= 45: 11 Total >= 46: 333
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

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

Compare data of this field

0.9% 1% 0.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

3.2% 1% 2.0%

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
2023-10 0.6%
2020-10 0.3%
2017-10 0.0%
2014-10 No information available
2011-10 0.0%