The line graph presents data on the proportion of women who served in parliament in five European nations between 2000 and 2012.
Overall, all countries in question experienced an increase of varying degrees. While the proportion of female members of parliament in Germany was the highest initially, it was Belgium that had the most women serving in parliament at the end of the period. Notably, the figures for the UK and Italy finished at the same point, though the parliament of Italy included the lowest share of females in the beginning.
Germany, ranked first with just above 30% in 2000, witnessed a gradual increase to about one third in 2012. Starting at around 24%, the figure for Belgium rose sharply to just below 40% in 2012, surpassing Spain at 35% in 2008 and ending with the highest figure. Although the percentage of women served in parliament increased in Spain, growing from around 26% to approximately 35%, it had levelled off by the end of the period and lagged far behind.
The remaining countries, on the other hand, showed lower percentages, albeit to increasing. The UK saw a moderate rise from about 17% to near 23% throughout the time frame. When it comes to Italy, having grown from a mere 2% to about 23% from 2000 to 2008, its figure remained unchanged and finished at exactly the same point as the UK’s.