Share of women in the Hesse state government
Share of women in the Hesse state government stood at 25 percent in 2025, according to Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) – Digital Gender Equality Atlas. It is one of the indicators in the Women and men in politics and administration table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2008 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Women and men in politics and administration table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2017 | 2015 | 2011 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hesse | |||||||||||
| Women, share | 25 | 25 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 41.7 | 41.7 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 9.1 | |
| Men, share | 75 | 75 | 66.7 | 66.7 | 58.3 | 58.3 | 72.7 | 72.7 | 72.7 | 90.9 |
Understanding share of women in the Hesse state government
The proportion of cabinet seats occupied by female politicians within the Hesse state government is measured by this ratio. Derived by dividing the count of female ministers and executive leaders by the total number of members in the state cabinet, it highlights relative gender parity rather than raw headcount figures. Non-voting participants, state secretaries, and administrative department directors are excluded from both the numerator and the denominator. Unlike the sibling count of female members, which rises only when additional women enter government, this percentage reflects structural changes in overall cabinet composition.
Fluctuations in this percentage occur discretely when elections, coalition pacts, or cabinet realignments alter executive appointments. Because state cabinets consist of a small aggregate group of officials, the replacement or appointment of an individual official causes noticeable shifts in the computed proportion. Annual comparisons between consecutive reporting points offer the appropriate method for evaluating administrative changes, as seasonal adjustments do not apply to political mandates. Users assessing trends should evaluate this ratio in conjunction with total cabinet membership, since expanding or downsizing ministries can influence the female share even when female headcounts remain unchanged.
Frequently asked questions
- What constitutes the denominator when calculating this share in Hesse?
- The denominator is the total number of individuals serving as ministers and minister-president in the state cabinet.
- Why can this proportion fluctuate when no female ministers leave office?
- The percentage shifts if the total number of ministerial portfolios changes due to the addition or removal of male ministers.
- Does this percentage account for part-time ministerial appointments?
- No, state cabinet positions are full constitutional offices counted equally per appointed person.