Finland´s rank slips to 3rd in global Gender Equality Index

Finland ranked third in the 2023 global index of gender equality published by World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday.

Finland secured second in the index in 2022.

Iceland held the top place in the list among146 countries while another Nordic country Norway secured second position.

New Zealand ranked fourth followed by Sweden, Germany, Nicaragua, Namibia, Lithuania and Belgium.

The Global Gender Gap Index measures scores on a 0 to 100 scale and scores can be interpreted as the distance covered towards parity. Cross-country comparisons support the identification of the most effective policies to close gender gaps, said WEF.

“While there have been encouraging signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, women continue to bear the brunt of the current cost of living crisis and labour market disruptions,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum in a press release.

“An economic rebound requires the full power of creativity and diverse ideas and skills. We cannot afford to lose momentum on women’s economic participation and opportunity.”

The Global Gender Gap Report, now in its 17th edition, benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps in four areas: economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment.