The GII is an inequality index. It measures gender inequalities in three important aspects of human development—reproductive health, measured by maternal mortality ratio and adolescent birth rates; empowerment, measured by proportion of parliamentary seats occupied by females and proportion of adult females and males aged 25 years and older with at least some secondary education; and economic status, expressed as labour market participation and measured by labour force participation rate of female and male populations aged 15 years and older
According to the Gender Inequality Index (GII), Denmark and Norway were the most gender equal countries in the world in 2023, reporting an index of and , respectively. The Gender Inequality Index measures inequality between women and men in three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men and vice versa. Yemen was considered the least gender equal country that same year.
Gender inequality in the workplace
The most prominent source of gender inequality is the workplace, often captured by the gender pay gap. In 2023, women still earned one percent less than their male counterparts with the same qualification and the same job. Women are less represented in senior roles and top management positions, with only one third percent of companies worldwide having a woman in leadership positions. The same situation can be observed in government roles - only 17 out of 195 countries worldwide have ever had a woman in the highest position of executive power.
Future outlook
Numbers on how long it will take to close gender gaps highly differ between regions. In Europe, it is estimated that it will take around 67 years to achieve equality between the genders. In East Asia and the Pacific, on the other hand, it is projected to take 189 years. New data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased female poverty worldwide and widened the gender poverty gap even further. Heightened female poverty will also negatively impact the Gender Inequality Index (GII).
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UNDP. (May 6, 2025). Most gender equal countries in the world in 2023 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/
UNDP. "Most gender equal countries in the world in 2023." Chart. May 6, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/
UNDP. (2025). Most gender equal countries in the world in 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/
UNDP. "Most Gender Equal Countries in The World in 2023." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 6 May 2025, /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/
UNDP, Most gender equal countries in the world in 2023 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Most gender equal countries in the world in 2023 [Graph], UNDP, May 6, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1221060/most-gender-equal-countries-in-the-world/
