List of Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index: According to the survey taken in 2023, Iceland is the country that has the highest gender equality index with a score of 0.91. The index was first published in 2013, then the survey was taken in 2015, and then in 2017. Soon after that, the index started publishing annually. Gender equality is essential for the development of any country. 

The gender equality index is measured under 6 main domains the first domain is work, the second domain is money, the third domain is power, the fourth one is knowledge, the fifth domain is time, and the last domain is health. Iceland is the only country that has covered more than 90% of the gender gap.

This article provides a list of the top 10 countries with the highest Gender Equality Index.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index

The table provided below lists the top 10 countries with the highest gender equality index:

S. No.	Country Name	Gender Equality Index
1	Iceland	0.91
2	Norway	0.88
3	Finland	0.86
4	New Zealand	0.86
5	Germany	0.81
6	Sweden	0.81
7	Nicaragua	0.81
8	Namibia	0.80
9	Lithuania	0.80
10	Belgium	0.80

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index

Top country with the highest gender equality index is Iceland, whereas the least gender equality index is Afghanistan. A report is published annually by the World Economic Forum, which gives the figures of the Global Gender Gap Index. There are some of the major common factors which are responsible for making this report.

Let us discuss the top ten countries with highest gender equality index in detail:

10. Country with the Tenth Highest Gender Equality Index: Belgium

The capital of the country is Brussels. The country lies in the Europe region. Around 50% of the total population which is approximately 11 million are considered to be women. The total GDP of the country is worth $579 billion. Belgium is a small country and is very well known for the castles built-in, production of chocolates, and beer. 

• Gender Act 20072 was formed in Belgium which is related to the discrimination on the criteria of men and women, and other things like pregnancy. 
• The main reasons for the growth in Belgium’s gender equality index is education facilities and improvement in the domain of power.
• The gender gap of the country has become 0.80 as a result it has risen its rank from the year 2020. 

9. Country with the Ninth Highest Gender Equality Index: Lithuania

The country holds 17th rank in the EU. Since 2010 the index has risen by 9.2 points. The main reason behind the improvement in the index of gender equality is the improvement in the domain of power with around 15.7 plus points. The country is very famous for its beautiful sceneries, forests, huge and beautiful lakes, and flatlands. 

• According to the survey taken in 2022, around 53 percent of the total population in Lithuania is considered to be women. 
• The gender gap of the country is 0.80.
• The main source of income and growth of the economy of the country is natural resources like petrol, manufacturing of chemicals, food products, textile industries, and clothing industries.

8. Country with the Eighth Highest Gender Equality Index: Namibia

The eighth ranked country with the highest gender equality index is Namibia. This is the only African country in the list of countries having the highest index. The main sources of income are the mining sector and energy resources. The country holds the position to be the most gender equal country in all regions of Africa.

• The government made a National Gender Policy Plan of Action, as the main work of this is to promote gender equality in the country.
• According to the survey taken by national authorities, the gender gap of the country is 0.80. 
• The government always focuses on increasing the awareness and rights for the women in the country, for this many policies are implemented. 

7. Country with the Seventh Highest Gender Equality Index: Nicaragua

The country is said to have the highest gender equality index from all over Latin America. According to the survey, 50.72 percent of the whole population in Nicaragua is women and the remaining 49.28% are males. The country holds 67th rank from the total 201 countries in the comparison of the female ratio to the female ratio. 

• 0.10 million females are more than males in Nicaragua. 
• The gender gap of the country is 0.81, according to the survey taken in 2023. 
• In the country, women are only 19% away from having full and equal opportunities like the men have in Nicaragua.

6. Country with the Sixth Highest Gender Equality Index: Sweden

Sweden is the country to hold the first rank in the EU on the basis of gender equality index. The score of the country is 15.3 points which is above the score of the EU. Sweden had made certain strict rules against inequality on the basis of gender. Since 1980, inequality is said to be illegal in the offices in Sweden. 

• The country promotes more gender equality than others. They have a basic principle that every gender has the right to work and make a career and should have full freedom. 
• In 2009, the Discrimination Act was passed which demands full equality in the workplace in Sweden. 
• According to the survey taken in 2022, around 49.6% of the total population are women and the gender gap of the country is 0.81. 

5. Country with the Fifth Highest Gender Equality Index: Germany

The country holds the 11th rank in the EU on the basis of gender equality index. Since 2010, around 8.2 points has been the score increased in the gender index. The major reason for the incredible rank is the country has improved the domain of power by 30 plus points, which resulted very well. 

• The government of Germany, has made certain acts including the Equal Act Rights Act and some important laws like the Federal Equality Law.
• The government ensures equality between both men and women, under their country. 
• The country contains almost 50.66 percent of women from the total population of Germany and the gender gap of the country is 0.81.

4. Country with the Fourth Highest Gender Equality Index: New Zealand

This country comes under the only country in which the gender gap has been crossed by more than 90%. As the country ranks in the top lists,  today women do not have full equality in New Zealand. Still there are some women who are facing violence and also discrimination in the workplaces. 

• Women might have the same qualifications like the men have in the country, but still women earn less than men in the country. 
• On the basis of health and fitness, women here are more healthy as compared to men. 
• According to the survey the gender gap of the country is 0.86.
• 50.43% of the total population are considered to be women in the country. 

3. Country with the Third Highest Gender Equality Index: Finland 

The country holds the 4th rank in the EU on the basis of the highest gender equality index. The score of the country in the EU is 6.8 points, which is stated as above from the score of the EU. 

• Finland was the very first nation, who gave the right to vote to all the women and men and let them be allowed to stand in the elections. 
• The country also holds the first rank to elect a woman as a member of Parliament.
• According to the survey, 50.55% are women of the total population. 

2. Country with the Second Highest Gender Equality Index: Norway

The second top country with the highest gender equality index is Norway with a gender gap of 0.88 index. The main aim of the government is to promote determination, empowerment of women, educate all girls, and equal opportunities. 

• There are 49.54% of women in the country, which is almost half the population of the country. 
• According to the survey, the country holds the 2nd rank in the WEFs. 
• The sex ratio of the country is 102.32 males per hundred males. 

1. Country with the Highest Gender Equality Index: Iceland

Iceland holds the first rank in the highest gender equality around the world. The first rank is due to women’s equality, women’s political participation, good and equal educational facilities to all genders, good health care facilities, and many more factors. 

• The government of Iceland has implemented such equalities laws, which made the country to stand at the top. 
• 48.74% of the total population is considered to be women. 
• Equal Rights for women and men both, is the law which was implemented in the country in 2000 which changed the life of women in the country. 

People Also Read:

• List of Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Gender Equality Index
• Global Gender Gap Report 2023 – UPSC Highlights
• Women Empowerment in the UK: History & Facts
• Women Empowerment in the USA: Rights & Facts

Summary – Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index

Iceland is the country with the highest Gender Equality Index. Many countries have increased their rank by reducing the gender gap. According to the reports Iceland has covered 91.2% of the gender gap. Gender equality is very important gain peaceful environment. It is also important for the sustainable development. If the women of a country are empowered, it directly enhances the economy. Gender equality is a very important for every country.

FAQs on Top 10 Countries with the Highest Gender Equality Index

What is the Gender Equality Index?

The Gender Equality Index is a measure of gender equality across the European Union, using a scale from 1 to 100, where 100 indicates complete equality between women and men. It assesses gender equality in the domains of work, money, knowledge, time, power, health, intersecting inequalities, and violence​​​​.

Which country scored the highest on the 2023 Gender Equality Index?

Sweden achieved the highest score with an Index of 82.2, indicating it is the closest to achieving a gender-equal society within the European Union​​.

What does the 2023 Gender Equality Index reveal about progress in gender equality?

The 2023 Index shows a moderate year-on-year improvement, with the European Union scoring 70.2 out of 100, marking the most significant increase since its launch. Despite these gains, progress towards full gender equality is considered too slow, with only about 2% of the EU population living in a near-gender-equal society​​.

How does the Gender Equality Index 2023 address the impact of crises on gender equality?

The 2023 report emphasizes the disproportionate impact of crises on women and girls, highlighting how shocks and uncertainties continuously threaten to reverse years of progress in gender equality. The thematic focus includes a socially fair transition under the European Green Deal, specifically in energy and transportation, to discuss challenges and opportunities for gender equality amid crises​​​​.

What improvements have been observed in the Gender Equality Index over time?

Between 2010-2021, there was a mean improvement in the Index, accompanied by a decline in variation among Member States, indicating a trend of upward convergence in gender equality across the EU. Some countries have made faster improvements, catching up with the EU average, while others have shown a slower pace of progress​​.​