A European External Action Service of the whole Union? Geographical and gender balance among the heads of EU delegations

This paper offers a snapshot of the geographical and gender distribution of staff at the level of heads of EU delegations (HoDs). The issue of the geographical and gender balance within this category has started to be addressed, as stipulated in the documents setting up the European External Action Service and in the political commitments of the High Representative. This trend should continue because, despite the overall positive evolution, imbalances still exist. The nationals of some member states are overrepresented among the HoDos, while those from other member states are not represented at all, or are underrepresented. At the same time women still account for less than 20% of all heads of EU delegations.