Dear Ms. Jones,

Thank you for an interesting question. There are 12 female heads of state around the world. Please note that this number refers only to the heads of state and excludes the heads of government that can be different based on the political system of each country. Below is detailed information about the current heads of state around the world:

Heads of State

Mary McAleese, Ireland, since 1997- present President
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Latvia, since 1999 - present, President
Tarja Halonen, Finland, since 2000 - present, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Philippines, since 2001- present, President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia, since 2006 - present, President
Michelle Bachelet, Chile, since 2006 - present, President
Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland, since 2007, President of the Swiss Confederation
Borjana Krišto, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2007 -present, President
Dalia Itzik, Israel, since 2007- present, Acting President

Queen Elizabeth II - Countries: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis

Queen Beatrix - Countries: The Netherlands,The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

Queen Margrethe II, Kingdom of Denmark.

Below is the list of the current female heads of government:

Heads of Government

Portia Simpson-Miller, Jamaica, since 2006 – present, Prime Minister
Angela Merkel, Germany, since 2005 – present, Chancellor
Luisa Dias Diogo, Mozambique, since 2004 – present, Prime Minister
Helen Clarke, New Zealand, since 1999 - present, Prime Minister

Please note that the President of Latvia will end her term on May 31, 2007. Additionally, the female prime ministers of Bangladesh and South Korea have recently concluded their terms.

Sincerely,

iKNOW Politics Staff