The line graph illustrates the changes in the proportion of female members of parliament in five European countries between 2000 and 2012. Overall, all countries experienced an increase during this period, with Italy seeing the biggest growth. Notably, Belgium surpassed as the highest percentage of female members of parliament by the end of the period.
As for higher figures, starting at about 30% in 2000, the proportion of women in parliament in Germany grew slightly to about 33% in the final year, losing its dominance. Despite a lower rate at around 20%, Belgium saw a dramatic increase of 20% in the proportion of female members in parliament, reaching a peak of 40% by 2012. A similar trend was observed in Spain, which stood at approximately 25% initially. By 2004, this figure had risen sharply to about 35%, and remained unchanged until the end of the period.
Regarding the remaining countries, beginning the period at only about 3%, the percentage of female members of parliament in Italy stayed the same until 2004. In the following years, this figure increased eightfold from 3% to 24% in 2008, before remaining stable as the lowest figure in the final year. The UK witnessed a moderate increase from around 15% in 2000 to 24% in 2012, becoming the smallest percentage of female members of parliament in the graph.