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URL: https://data.ipu.org/parliament/NL/NL-UC01/

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Netherlands

Senate

Political system

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

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Parliamentary system

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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
Staten-Generaal (States General)
Chamber name
Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal (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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4

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IPU membership

Affiliation periods
from 1890
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

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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 Senate
Speaker
Mei Li Vos (Female)
Date of birth: 31 Mar 1970
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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07 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 7 Oct. 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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Clerk
Secretary General
Remco Nehmelman (Male)
Term

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

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01 Oct 2018
Notes

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

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1 Oct. 2018 -

Members

Statutory number of members

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

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75

Notes: Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.

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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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75
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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75

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Men

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

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43

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Women

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

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32

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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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42.7%

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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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225

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Population (in thousands)

Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects.

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18,093

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Inhabitants per parliamentarian

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

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80,413

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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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58.4
(2023-06)

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Youngest member
Randy Martens (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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35

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Oldest member
Dr. Martin van Rooijen (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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80

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Number of members, by age (2023-06)

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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 3 1 15 17 7 0 0 46
Female 0 0 3 1 3 14 8 0 0 0 29
Totals per age interval 0 0 6 4 4 29 25 7 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 10 Total >= 46: 65
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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8.0% 4% 4.0%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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13.3% 8% 5.3%
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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75
(2023-06)

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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 quotas.

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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
1946-01 Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal (Senate)
- Senate
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
Mei Li Vos (Female)
Date of birth: 31 Mar 1970
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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07 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 7 Oct. 2025.

Official title

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

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Acting President of the Senate
Speaker
Mei Li Vos (Female)
Date of birth: 31 Mar 1970
Acting Speaker

If the position of Speaker of Parliament becomes vacant, another parliamentarian, such as the Deputy Speaker, becomes Acting Speaker until a new Speaker is officially elected or appointed.

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Yes
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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05 Sep 2025 to 06 Oct 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 Senate
Speaker
Jan Anthonie Bruijn (Male)
Date of birth: 07 Feb 1958
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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02 Jul 2019 to 04 Sep 2025
Additional information

Elected on 2 July 2019, re-elected on 27 June 2023.

Official title

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

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Acting President of the Senate
Speaker
Joris Backer (Male)
Date of birth: 1953
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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12 Jun 2019 to 02 Jul 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 Senate
Speaker
Ankie Broekers-Knol (Female)
Date of birth: 1946
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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02 Jul 2013 to 11 Jun 2019

Historical data for Speaker

Historical data for Speaker
Updated at Speaker
2025-10
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
Mei Li Vos (Female)
Date of birth: 31 Mar 1970
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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07 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 7 Oct. 2025.

2025-09
Official title

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

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Acting President of the Senate
Speaker
Mei Li Vos (Female)
Date of birth: 31 Mar 1970
Acting Speaker

If the position of Speaker of Parliament becomes vacant, another parliamentarian, such as the Deputy Speaker, becomes Acting Speaker until a new Speaker is officially elected or appointed.

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Yes
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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05 Sep 2025 to 06 Oct 2025
2019-07
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
Jan Anthonie Bruijn (Male)
Date of birth: 07 Feb 1958
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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02 Jul 2019 to 04 Sep 2025
Additional information

Elected on 2 July 2019, re-elected on 27 June 2023.

2019-06
Official title

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

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Acting President of the Senate
Speaker
Joris Backer (Male)
Date of birth: 1953
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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12 Jun 2019 to 02 Jul 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 Senate
Speaker
Ankie Broekers-Knol (Female)
Date of birth: 1946
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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02 Jul 2013 to 11 Jun 2019

Historical data for Statutory number of members

Historical data for Statutory number of members
Updated at Statutory number of members Notes
2019-05 75 Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.
2018-12 75 Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.
2015-06 75 Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.
2015-05 75 Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.
2005-01 75 Indirectly elected by the 12 Provincial Councils.

Historical data for Current number of members

Historical data for Current number of members
Updated at Current number of members
2025-12 75
1957-01 75
1956-10 50
1956-06 75
1946-01 50

Historical data for Men

Historical data for Men
Updated at Men
2025-12 43
2023-12 45
2023-08 47
2023-05 45
2021-12 51
2019-05 46
2018-12 48

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women
2025-12 32
2023-12 30
2023-08 28
2023-05 30
2021-12 24
2019-05 29
2018-12 27
2015-05 26
2011-05 27
2007-05 26
2005-01 24
2004-10 22
2004-01 25
2003-06 24
1999-05 21
1998-01 20
1995-01 17
1991-01 20
1989-01 16
1987-01 20
1986-01 17
1983-01 16
1981-01 17
1980-01 12
1977-01 6
1971-01 3
1957-01 4
1956-10 2
1956-06 4
1955-01 2
1948-01 1
1946-01 2

Historical data for Percentage of women

Historical data for Percentage of women
Updated at Percentage of women
2025-12 42.7%
2023-12 40.0%
2023-08 37.3%
2023-05 40.0%
2021-12 32.0%
2019-05 38.7%
2018-12 36.0%
2015-05 34.7%
2011-05 36.0%
2007-05 34.7%
2005-01 32.0%
2004-10 29.3%
2004-01 33.3%
2003-06 32.0%
1999-05 28.0%
1998-01 26.7%
1995-01 22.7%
1991-01 26.7%
1989-01 21.3%
1987-01 26.7%
1986-01 22.7%
1983-01 21.3%
1981-01 22.7%
1980-01 16.0%
1977-01 8.0%
1971-01 4.0%
1957-01 5.3%
1956-10 4.0%
1956-06 5.3%
1955-01 4.0%
1948-01 2.0%
1946-01 4.0%

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
2019-05 225
2018-12 225
2015-06 225
2015-05 225
2005-01 225

Historical data for Population (in thousands)

Historical data for Population (in thousands)
Updated at Population (in thousands)
2023-01 18,093
2022-01 17,904
2021-01 17,731
2015-01 16,938
2014-01 16,889
2013-01 16,840
2012-01 16,789
2011-01 16,737
2010-01 16,683
2009-01 16,627
2008-01 16,569
2007-01 16,507
2006-01 16,440
2005-01 16,367
2004-01 16,287
2003-01 16,201
2002-01 16,110
2001-01 16,018
2000-01 15,926
1999-01 15,836
1998-01 15,746
1997-01 15,655
1996-01 15,563
1995-01 15,468
1994-01 15,369
1993-01 15,268
1992-01 15,166
1991-01 15,065
1990-01 14,965
1989-01 14,869
1988-01 14,774
1987-01 14,683
1986-01 14,596
1985-01 14,514
1984-01 14,438
1983-01 14,365
1982-01 14,295
1981-01 14,224
1980-01 14,148
1979-01 14,069
1978-01 13,984
1977-01 13,893
1976-01 13,793
1975-01 13,683
1974-01 13,562
1973-01 13,431
1972-01 13,292
1971-01 13,148
1970-01 13,002
1969-01 12,855
1968-01 12,707
1967-01 12,557
1966-01 12,404
1965-01 12,248
1964-01 12,089
1963-01 11,928
1962-01 11,767
1961-01 11,606
1960-01 11,449
1959-01 11,295
1958-01 11,144
1957-01 10,997
1956-01 10,852
1955-01 10,710
1954-01 10,570
1953-01 10,432
1952-01 10,298
1951-01 10,168
1950-01 10,042

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian
Updated at Inhabitants per parliamentarian
2023-01 80,413
2022-01 79,573
2021-01 78,804
2019-05 75,280
2018-12 75,280
2015-06 75,280
2015-05 75,280
2015-01 75,280
2014-01 75,062
2013-01 74,844
2012-01 74,618
2011-01 74,387
2010-01 74,147
2009-01 73,898
2008-01 73,640
2007-01 73,364
2006-01 73,067
2005-01 72,742

Historical data for Average age of all members

Historical data for Average age of all members
Updated at Average age of all members
2023-06 58.4
2019-06 57.1
2015-06 No information available
2011-06 57.5

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
2023-06 75
2019-06 75
2015-06 75
- 75
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 3 1 15 17 7 0 0 46
Female 0 0 3 1 3 14 8 0 0 0 29
Totals per age interval 0 0 6 4 4 29 25 7 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 10 Total >= 46: 65
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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8.0% 4% 4.0%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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13.3% 8% 5.3%
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 0 5 10 27 3 0 0 48
Female 0 1 3 2 4 11 6 0 0 0 27
Totals per age interval 0 1 6 2 9 21 33 3 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 9 Total >= 46: 66
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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1.3% 0.0% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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9.3% 4% 5.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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12.0% 4% 8.0%
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 1 3 4 1 17 21 3 0 0 50
Female 0 1 4 1 6 9 4 0 0 0 25
Totals per age interval 0 2 7 5 7 26 25 3 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 14 Total >= 46: 61
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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2.7% 1.3% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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12.0% 5% 6.7%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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18.7% 11% 8.0%
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 1 2 2 1 13 23 7 0 0 49
Female 0 0 1 1 7 5 11 1 0 0 26
Totals per age interval 0 1 3 3 8 18 34 8 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 7 Total >= 46: 68
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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1.3% 1.3% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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5.3% 4% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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9.3% 7% 2.7%

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
2023-06
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 3 1 15 17 7 0 0 46
Female 0 0 3 1 3 14 8 0 0 0 29
Totals per age interval 0 0 6 4 4 29 25 7 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 10 Total >= 46: 65
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

8.0% 4% 4.0%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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13.3% 8% 5.3%
2019-06
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 0 5 10 27 3 0 0 48
Female 0 1 3 2 4 11 6 0 0 0 27
Totals per age interval 0 1 6 2 9 21 33 3 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 9 Total >= 46: 66
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

1.3% 0.0% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

9.3% 4% 5.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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12.0% 4% 8.0%
2015-06
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 3 4 1 17 21 3 0 0 50
Female 0 1 4 1 6 9 4 0 0 0 25
Totals per age interval 0 2 7 5 7 26 25 3 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 14 Total >= 46: 61
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

2.7% 1.3% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

12.0% 5% 6.7%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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18.7% 11% 8.0%
2011-06
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 2 2 1 13 23 7 0 0 49
Female 0 0 1 1 7 5 11 1 0 0 26
Totals per age interval 0 1 3 3 8 18 34 8 0 0 75
Total <= 45: 7 Total >= 46: 68
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

1.3% 1.3% 0.0%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

5.3% 4% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

9.3% 7% 2.7%

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
2023-06 0.0%
2019-06 1.3%
2015-06 2.7%
2011-06 1.3%