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Written question asked by James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 9 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 (named day). It was answered by Calvin Bailey (Labour) on Thursday, 15 October 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Navy: Women

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the Royal Navy in each year since 2015.

Answer

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Financial Year

Royal Navy

Royal Marines

Army

Royal Air Force

Reserves

15/16

-33

-4

-75

56

850

16/17

-2

4

-62

-27

-598

17/18

-1

-6

70

4

-159

18/19

13

-2

-100

70

-42

19/20

100

6

437

52

120

20/21

58

9

-198

-35

-175

21/22

-85

-6

-37

17

46

22/23

-49

-11

-170

-98

-253

23/24

-29

6

31

-72

-23

24/25

142

-1

3

42

4

25/26

-22

4

29

160

23

Notes:

  1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
  2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
  3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
31511
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Women Recruitment Navy
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk