Pause

World Economic Forum Releases 2010 Global Gender Gap Report

Closing the gap of gender inequality is directly linked to economic competitiveness, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum. The WEF Global Gender Gap Report, released October 12, 2010, finds that Nordic countries – Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden -- have led the way in eliminating gender inequality. The United States ranked in the top 20 for the first time this year, while France fell in the rankings to 46, in part due to changes in female political leadership.

The report’s index ranks 134 economies on criteria related to gaps in status for men and women. Countries are assessed on the basis of economic participation and opportunity, educational achievement, political empowerment, and health and survival/life expectancy. The report has been issued for the last five years, during which most countries have made progress toward equality.

In the developing world, Lesotho (8) and South Africa (12) achieved the highest rankings for the African continent, with significant levels of labor force participation and literacy in Lesotho and political power in South Africa. Ranked at 9th overall, the Philippines also received high marks in all four areas.

Meanwhile, in Latin America and the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago (21), Cuba (24), and Argentina (29) turned in strong scores. Low performers were Brazil (85), Mexico (91), and Guatemala (109).

Globally, the report found the greatest gender gaps in Pakistan (132), Chad (133) and Yemen (134).

"We have found that gaps are closing between women and men’s health and education – in fact, current data show that in the 134 countries covered, 96% of health gaps and 93% of education gaps have been closed," said co-author Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University.

"And, yet only 60% of economic participation gaps have been closed. Progress will be achieved when countries seek to reap returns on the investment in health and education of girls and women by finding ways to make marriage and motherhood compatible with the economic participation of women," Hausmann said.

Co-authors of the 2010 report are:
•    Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University and Professor of the Practice of Economic Development at the Harvard Kennedy School
•    Laura Tyson, S.K. and Angela Chan Professor of Global Management, Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley
•    Saadia Zahidi, World Economic Forum, Head of the Forum’s Women Leaders and Gender Parity Programme

Download the report or country profiles & highlights.

Media Coverage:

New York Times: Nordic Nations Remain Gender-Equality Leaders

Print print | Email email
Ricardo Hausmann

Ricardo Hausmann at WEF 2009

"We have found that gaps are closing between women and men’s health and education – in fact, current data show that in the 134 countries covered, 96% of health gaps and 93% of education gaps have been closed.

And, yet only 60% of economic participation gaps have been closed. Progress will be achieved when countries seek to reap returns on the investment in health and education of girls and women by finding ways to make marriage and motherhood compatible with the economic participation of women."

-Co-author Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University