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About the Scottish Parliament

Gender balance of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament 2025

This data has been collated and presented by SPICe in response to Recommendation 12 of the Report of the Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Audit.

Data will be produced at the end of each parliamentary year so a year-on-year picture and comparison can be made.

MSPs, Cabinet and Ministers

On 12 May 2025 there was a total of 128 MSPs, with a split of 70 male and 58 female. A total of 25 MSPs were in Government, with a split of 11 male and 14 female.

Bar chart showing the percentage of female MSPs, 45%, the percentage of female MSPs in Government, 56% and female MSPs who are not in Government, 43%

MSPs by party

Bar chart showing percentage of female MSPs in each party, including Alba at 100%, Independent 0%, Scottish Conservative and Unionist 30%, Scottish Green Party 57%, Scottish Labour 45%, Scottish Liberal Democrats 20%, Scottish National Party 52% and NPA at 100%.

Committees

Mandatory and subject committees must have at least five but not more than 15 members. On 12 May 2025 there were 16 committees with an average of 7 members per committee.

On 12 May 2025 there were a total of 114 committee members, with a split of 71 male and 43 female members.

Bar chart showing percentage of female Non-Government MSPs by committee, highest in Equalities and Human Rights at 86%, than 80% for the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments, 67% for Rural Affairs and Islands, 63% for Criminal Justice, 43% for Local Government, Housing and Planning, 40% for Delegated Powers and Law Reform, 40% for Health, Social Care and Sport, 40% for SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review, 38% for Social Justice and Social Security, 29% for Finance and Public Administration, 22% for Economy and Fair Work, 20% for Education, Children and Young People Committee, 14% for Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture, 14% Net Zero, Energy and Transport, and lowest at 0% in Citizen Participation and Public Petitions and Public Audit.

This data includes Conveners and Deputy conveners. Does not include substitute members.

Conveners and Deputy Conveners

On 12 May 2025 there were a total of 31 Conveners and Deputy Conveners - 20 male and 11 female.

Bar chart showing percentage of female Conveners - 38% and female Deputy Conveners - 33%

Spokespersons

On 12 May 2025 there was a total of 48 MSPs holding Spokespersons roles - 27 male and 21 female.

Bar chart showing percentage of female contributions in the Debating Chamber, including 53% in Scottish Labour, 37% in the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, 20% in the Scottish Liberal Democrats and 57% in the Scottish Green Party. 

Cross-Party Groups (CPGs)

On 12 May 2025 there was a total of 104 CPGs in the Scottish Parliament with an average of 6 MSPs per CPG.

A pie chart showing cross party group membership split into female (46%) and male (54%). The six CPGs with the highest female membership are: Women's Health, 100%, Social Enterprise, 100%, Men's Violence Against Women and Children (89%), WASPI (86%), Colleges and Universities (86%) and Wellbeing Economy (86%). The six CPG's with the highest male membership are: Volunteering (100%), Visual Impairment (100%), Civil Nuclear Industry (89%), Credit Unions (86%), Housing (86%), Industrial Communities (86%)