The galactic distribution of Wolf-Rayet stars is redetermined. In the solar neighbourhood within d < 2. 5 kpc the WN/WC number ratio is 0.54, indicating a larger influence of mass loss and convectlve overshooting than most present evolutionary models account for. The WR density gradient In the solar neighbourhood is constant. From a comparison of WR galactocentric distances and WR cluster and association membership, we find indications that WCE stars descend from WNL stars at R > 6.5 kpc, and that WCL stars descend from WNL stars at R < 8.5 kpc.