According to the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, achieving full gender equality is still 134 years away. Despite measurable progress in education and health, the gaps in economic participation and especially political representation are telling a story of unfulfilled potential and persistent inequality.

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At its core, the gender gap refers to disparities between men and women across critical dimensions of societal participation. The World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, introduced in 2006, measures progress toward parity across four key areas:

• Economic Participation and Opportunity (60.5% parity): Measures how equally men and women are represented in the workforce, whether they earn similar wages for similar work, and how many hold leadership positions.

• Educational Attainment (94.9% parity): Looks at whether men and women have equal access to basic literacy as well as enrollment in primary, secondary, and higher education.

• Health and Survival (96% parity): Assesses whether men and women live equally long and healthy lives and whether boys and girls are born at natural rates, free from gender-biased practices.

• Political Empowerment (22.5% parity): Tracks the balance between men and women in government roles, such as members of parliament, ministers, and heads of state.

The index scores each country on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 represents perfect parity. For instance, the overall score of 0.685 indicates that 68.5% of the gender gap has been closed, leaving 31.5% of disparities unresolved. This metric not only allows comparisons between countries but also highlights how far societies have come—or stalled—in creating equal opportunities.

Please note that the Global Gender Gap Report focuses on disparities between men and women, reflecting traditional gender categories and the constraints of currently available data.

Highlights and Disparities in Global Gender Equality

Global gender equality remains an uneven and slow march forward, marked by both inspiring success stories and persistent setbacks. Iceland leads the way, having closed 93.5% of its gender gap, a position it has held for over a decade. The country’s success is held up by progressive policies such as wage transparency laws and shared parental leave, enabling women to participate fully in the workforce and access leadership roles.

European nations dominate the top ten rankings, joined by Nicaragua, Namibia, and New Zealand. Nicaragua, in particular, showcases how robust policy frameworks and cultural shifts can drive progress in gender equality. The country has implemented measures that increase economic opportunities for women and foster their inclusion in political and leadership roles.

However, no country has yet achieved full gender parity, and for many, the gaps remain daunting. Sudan ranks last, with only 56.8% of its gender gap closed, while Pakistan, Chad, and Iran also face alarmingly wide disparities, particularly in economic participation and political representation.

Regional disparities are pointing out the complexities of gender equality. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region scores the lowest globally, with just 61.7% of the gap closed. Economic participation is especially low, despite strides in literacy and educational enrollment. Sub-Saharan Africa presents a mixed picture, with Namibia ranking in the global top ten, while Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo lag behind in education and political empowerment. Similarly, Southern Asia struggles with low scores in economic and political inclusion, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Yet, there are reasons for optimism. Latin America and the Caribbean have made the greatest progress globally since 2006, reducing their gender gap by over eight percentage points. Nicaragua exemplifies this progress, driven by robust policy frameworks and cultural shifts. Another positive trend is the doubling of women’s representation in AI roles since 2016, signaling progress in technology fields traditionally dominated by men.

In the care economy, emerging policies recognize caregiving as both a societal necessity and an economic opportunity. The global average number of maternity leave days has increased, and paternity leave, though still minimal, is gaining traction. Iceland’s shared parental leave policy serves as a model for other nations, illustrating the economic and social benefits of equitable caregiving systems.

Economic Participation: A Persistent Divide

Women remain underrepresented in the workforce globally, holding only 31.7% of leadership positions and making up just 28.2% of professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Despite progress in some regions, entrenched barriers continue to widen the economic gender gap, with only 60.5% of this gap closed worldwide. The global timeline for achieving economic gender parity has been revised to an alarming 152 years, reflecting slow and uneven progress.

Key factors contributing to the economic divide include unequal access to technical education, societal norms discouraging women from pursuing high-growth careers, and biases in hiring and promotion practices. Many women face systemic challenges such as limited access to affordable childcare, insufficient parental leave policies, and traditional caregiving expectations that constrain their career trajectories. This is particularly the case in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, where cultural norms further restrict women’s workforce participation.

The disparities are stark. In countries like Bangladesh and Sudan, women’s economic participation stands at only 31.1% and 33.7%, respectively. In contrast, Liberia (87.4%) and Botswana (85.4%) have achieved near parity in workforce participation. However, even in high-performing countries, pay inequities and underrepresentation in senior roles persist. Botswana and Liberia have implemented policies ensuring 100% parity in senior roles, showcasing the potential of targeted interventions.

Political Empowerment: The Largest Gap

The political gender gap remains the largest among all measured areas, with only 22.5% of it closed globally. Women hold a disproportionately small share of political leadership positions, and in many countries, their representation in parliamentary and ministerial roles remains negligible. Over half of the nations analyzed score below the global average, with some countries including no women at all in key government roles. This exclusion significantly limits women’s influence over critical policy decisions, such as those related to education, healthcare, and economic development.

Some countries, however, stand out for their progress. Rwanda leads the world in female parliamentary representation, with women holding more than 60% of seats. This achievement is attributed to deliberate gender quotas introduced during the country’s post-genocide reconstruction, demonstrating the effectiveness of policy-driven change. Iceland, the consistent leader in the Global Gender Gap Index, has also made remarkable steps in political empowerment through sustained efforts to promote gender-balanced governance. Women in Iceland hold significant roles in both parliament and government, setting an example of how intentional strategies can close the gap.

In Latin America, countries like Nicaragua have demonstrated strong gains in women’s political participation, with women increasingly occupying positions of influence. These bright spots contrast sharply with nations where progress is slower or stagnating. For instance, Bangladesh and Ireland are examples of the uneven nature of change. Both countries have seen women underrepresented in ministerial positions despite other advances in gender equality.

The political empowerment gap drives all other inequalities. Limited representation in decision-making roles means policies on education, healthcare, and economic opportunities often overlook critical perspectives, reinforcing systemic disparities imposed on women. This exclusion creates a cycle: without equal participation in shaping solutions, the gaps will remain unaddressed. Breaking this cycle is essential—until political power is distributed equally, meaningful progress across all dimensions will be most likely unattainable.

Bridging the Gap: A Collective Responsibility

The 2024 Global Gender Gap Report highlights a world moving forward, although too slowly. While progress has been made in health and education, the gaps in economic participation and political empowerment remain as strong reminders of the barriers women face globally. Countries like Rwanda show that meaningful change is possible with targeted policies and sustained efforts, even in the most challenging areas.

Achieving gender equality is more than a moral imperative—it is a foundational requirement for building stronger, fairer, and more prosperous societies. The evidence is clear: nations that prioritize gender parity consistently exhibit greater economic resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Yet, the pace of progress remains unacceptably slow, with full parity projected 134 years away.

The path forward demands bold action. Equitable care systems, expanded access to STEM and future-focused skills, increased political representation, and stronger professional networks for women are not optional—they are essential. These systemic interventions, supported by global collaboration and cultural shifts, can drastically accelerate change. This is not a distant ideal but a pressing need.

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Links:

Global Gender Gap Report 2024