Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Gender equality in Europe - Statistics & Facts
The status of women in European societies has undergone a radical change during the past century. While in the early 20th century few European countries allowed women to vote in elections, own property, or work outside of the household, apart from in specific roles, women in 21st century Europe are free to work, run their own business, be the elected head of government, and to make all important life decisions for themselves. This legal equality of women is an important step in the right direction, however, legal equality has not always led to social and economic equality between women and men. Women trail behind men in many indicators, such as in their median earnings and representation in management/ownership positions, with these gaps mostly getting smaller in recent decades. The Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden – have become renowned as world leaders in achieving gender equality, with many commentators linking this to their strong welfare provisions for women and the rights they grant women in family planning.
