The world’s 20 most and least gender-equal countries, 2017

Iceland remains the most gender-equal country in the world, on the Global Gender Gap Report 2017 issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Overall, four Scandinavian countries ranked among the top 5 most gender-equal nations, including Iceland (NO. 1), Norway (NO. 2), Finland (NO. 3), and Sweden (NO. 5).

The US dropped four places to rank 49th globally. China ranked 100th, India 108th, Japan 114th, and the Republic of Korea 118th.

The Index measures equality between men and women in 144 countries worldwide in 4 key sectors: health, education, political, and economic participation.

The world’s 20 most gender-equal countries, 2017

1. Iceland
2. Norway
3. Finland
4. Rwanda
5. Sweden

6. Nicaragua
7. Slovenia
8. Ireland
9. New Zealand
10. Philippines

11. France
12. Germany
13. Denmark
14. United Kingdom
15. Canada

16. Bolivia
17. South Africa
18. Latvia
19. Switzerland
20. Burundi

The world’s 20 least gender-equal countries

1. Yemen
2. Pakistan
3. Syria
4. Chad
5. Iran (tie)

6. Mali (tie)
7. Saudi Arabia
8. Lebanon
9. Morocco
10. Jordan

11. Egypt
12. Cote d’Ivoire
13. Mauritania
14. Turkey
15. Qatar

16. Kuwait
17. Timor-Leste
18. Algeria
19. Bahrain
20. Fiji