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Namibia

National Council

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
Parliament
Chamber name
National Council

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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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5

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IPU membership

Affiliation periods
from 1990
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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African Group

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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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Lukas Sinimbo Muha (Male)
Date of birth: 02 Sep 1972
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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15 Dec 2020
Additional information

Elected on 15 Dec. 2020, re-elected on 12 Dec. 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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Secretary
Secretary General
Tousy Namiseb (Male)
Term

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

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01 May 2019
Notes

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

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1 May 2019 -

Members

Statutory number of members

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

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42

Notes: Indirectly elected by the 14 regional councils (three members each).

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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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42
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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42

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Men

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

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35

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Women

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

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7

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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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16.7%

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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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146

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Population (in thousands)

Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects.

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2,963

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Inhabitants per parliamentarian

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

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20,295

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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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Click for historical data

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Youngest member
Emma Tangi Muteka (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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35

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Oldest member
Progress Mabate Sipapela (Male)

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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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72

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Number of members, by age (2025-12)

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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 0 3 7 7 12 5 1 0 0 35
Female 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 7
Totals per age interval 0 0 4 8 8 14 7 1 0 0 42
Total <= 45: 12 Total >= 46: 30
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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9.5% 7% 2.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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28.6% 24% 4.8%
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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42
(2025-12)

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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: Voluntary political party quota.

Sources: SWAPO Party Constitution

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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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No information available
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
1998-01 National Council
- National Council
Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Lukas Sinimbo Muha (Male)
Date of birth: 02 Sep 1972
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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15 Dec 2020
Additional information

Elected on 15 Dec. 2020, re-elected on 12 Dec. 2025.

Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Bernard Songa Sibalatani (Male)
Date of birth: 1953
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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09 Dec 2019 to 14 Dec 2020
Additional information

Elected on 9 Dec. 2019.

Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Margaret Mensah-Williams (Female)
Date of birth: 1961
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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08 Dec 2015 to 08 Dec 2019

Historical data for Speaker

Historical data for Speaker
Updated at Speaker
2020-12
Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Lukas Sinimbo Muha (Male)
Date of birth: 02 Sep 1972
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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15 Dec 2020
Additional information

Elected on 15 Dec. 2020, re-elected on 12 Dec. 2025.

2019-12
Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Bernard Songa Sibalatani (Male)
Date of birth: 1953
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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09 Dec 2019 to 14 Dec 2020
Additional information

Elected on 9 Dec. 2019.

-
Official title

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

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Chairperson of the National Council
Speaker
Margaret Mensah-Williams (Female)
Date of birth: 1961
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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08 Dec 2015 to 08 Dec 2019

Historical data for Statutory number of members

Historical data for Statutory number of members
Updated at Statutory number of members Notes
2019-10 42 Indirectly elected by the 14 regional councils (three members each).
2012-01 42 Indirectly elected by the 14 regional councils (three members each).
2011-11 42 Indirectly elected by the 14 regional councils (three members each).
2005-01 42 Indirectly elected by the 14 regional councils (three members each).

Historical data for Current number of members

Historical data for Current number of members
Updated at Current number of members
2018-06 42
2018-01 41
2015-12 42
1998-01 26

Historical data for Men

Historical data for Men
Updated at Men
2025-12 35
2020-12 36
2019-12 34

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women
2025-12 7
2020-12 6
2019-12 8
2015-12 10
2014-12 6
2004-11 7
1998-01 2

Historical data for Percentage of women

Historical data for Percentage of women
Updated at Percentage of women
2025-12 16.7%
2020-12 14.3%
2019-12 19.0%
2018-06 23.8%
2018-01 24.4%
2015-12 23.8%
2014-12 23.1%
2004-11 26.9%
1998-01 7.7%

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
2019-10 146
2015-01 146
2014-11 146
2012-01 146
2011-11 146
2005-01 146

Historical data for Population (in thousands)

Historical data for Population (in thousands)
Updated at Population (in thousands)
2023-01 2,963
2022-01 2,890
2021-01 2,811
2015-01 2,426
2014-01 2,371
2013-01 2,317
2012-01 2,264
2011-01 2,216
2010-01 2,173
2009-01 2,137
2008-01 2,106
2007-01 2,080
2006-01 2,056
2005-01 2,032
2004-01 2,009
2003-01 1,987
2002-01 1,962
2001-01 1,934
2000-01 1,899
1999-01 1,858
1998-01 1,811
1997-01 1,759
1996-01 1,706
1995-01 1,655
1994-01 1,607
1993-01 1,560
1992-01 1,514
1991-01 1,466
1990-01 1,415
1989-01 1,360
1988-01 1,303
1987-01 1,246
1986-01 1,194
1985-01 1,148
1984-01 1,111
1983-01 1,081
1982-01 1,056
1981-01 1,034
1980-01 1,013
1979-01 991
1978-01 970
1977-01 949
1976-01 928
1975-01 905
1974-01 881
1973-01 855
1972-01 829
1971-01 804
1970-01 780
1969-01 758
1968-01 738
1967-01 719
1966-01 700
1965-01 683
1964-01 665
1963-01 649
1962-01 633
1961-01 617
1960-01 603
1959-01 588
1958-01 575
1957-01 562
1956-01 549
1955-01 538
1954-01 526
1953-01 515
1952-01 505
1951-01 495
1945-01 485

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian
Updated at Inhabitants per parliamentarian
2023-01 20,295
2022-01 19,795
2021-01 19,253
2019-10 16,616
2015-01 16,616
2014-01 16,240
2013-01 15,870
2012-01 15,507
2011-11 15,178
2011-01 15,178
2010-01 14,884
2009-01 14,637
2008-01 14,425
2007-01 14,247
2006-01 14,082
2005-01 13,918

Historical data for Average age of all members

Historical data for Average age of all members
Updated at Average age of all members
2015-12 No information available
2010-12 47.2

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
2025-12 42
2020-12 42
2015-12 No information available
- 26
Youngest member
Emma Tangi Muteka (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
Youngest member
Phillipus Katamelo (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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40

Historical data for Youngest member

Historical data for Youngest member
Updated at Youngest member
2025-12
Youngest member
Emma Tangi Muteka (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
2020-12
Youngest member
Phillipus Katamelo (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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40
Oldest member
Progress Mabate Sipapela (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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72
Oldest member
Bernardinus Shekutaamba (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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70

Historical data for Oldest member

Historical data for Oldest member
Updated at Oldest member
2025-12
Oldest member
Progress Mabate Sipapela (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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72
2020-12
Oldest member
Bernardinus Shekutaamba (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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70
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 3 7 7 12 5 1 0 0 35
Female 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 7
Totals per age interval 0 0 4 8 8 14 7 1 0 0 42
Total <= 45: 12 Total >= 46: 30
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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9.5% 7% 2.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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28.6% 24% 4.8%
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 0 7 11 14 3 0 0 0 36
Female 0 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 6
Totals per age interval 0 1 1 8 11 18 3 0 0 0 42
Total <= 45: 10 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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2.4% 2.4% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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4.8% 2% 2.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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23.8% 19% 4.8%
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 1 3 4 6 5 0 0 0 19
Female 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 7
Totals per age interval 0 0 1 5 4 11 5 0 0 0 26
Total <= 45: 6 Total >= 46: 20
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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3.8% 4% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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23.1% 15% 7.7%

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
2025-12
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 3 7 7 12 5 1 0 0 35
Female 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 7
Totals per age interval 0 0 4 8 8 14 7 1 0 0 42
Total <= 45: 12 Total >= 46: 30
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

9.5% 7% 2.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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28.6% 24% 4.8%
2020-12
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 0 7 11 14 3 0 0 0 36
Female 0 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 6
Totals per age interval 0 1 1 8 11 18 3 0 0 0 42
Total <= 45: 10 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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2.4% 2.4% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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4.8% 2% 2.4%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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23.8% 19% 4.8%
2015-12 No information available
2010-12
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 1 3 4 6 5 0 0 0 19
Female 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 7
Totals per age interval 0 0 1 5 4 11 5 0 0 0 26
Total <= 45: 6 Total >= 46: 20
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

3.8% 4% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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23.1% 15% 7.7%

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
2025-12 0.0%
2020-12 2.4%
2015-12 No information available
2010-12 0.0%