Top 5 Countries for Women
Northern European countries often rank among the happiest countries on Earth, being praised for their wide array of free public services and social inclusion. Studies have shown that same countries score particularly high in taking care of their elderly as well, with Danish women over 65 reporting to be the happiest in the European block. It’s little surprise then that Scandinavian countries dominated the 2018 list of the Best Countries for Women.
The Best Countries for Women is a perception-based survey based on the responses of more than 9,000 women who filled out surveys for the 2018 Best Countries rankings. The ranking is derived from a compilation of five equally weighted country attributes: care about human rights, gender equality, income equality, progress, and safety. These are the top five countries for women.
No. 5: Finland
Finland has been a welcoming environment for women since the 19th century, before the country gained its independence. It was in the 1850s that Finish activists for women’s rights raised their voices and spoke about education for girls. Since then, Finland has been the first country to offer unrestricted rights for women to vote and be elected in Parliament. In 2000 Finland welcomed the first female president, Tarja Halonen, who ran the country up until 2012.
No. 4: Netherlands
The Netherlands ranks No. 16 out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016, meaning it has done a relatively good job of narrowing the gender gap across health, education, economy and politics. The government provides benefits to new mothers, including giving them access to a maternity nurse, with part or all of the cost covered by insurance.
No. 3: Norway
Norway is considered one of the most gender-equal nations on the globe. The country ranks No. 3 out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016. Generous maternity leave policies give women extra support. Mothers can take 35 weeks at full pay or 45 weeks at 80 percent pay, according to the World Economic Forum.
No. 2: Sweden
Sweden falls one position in 2018 from its previous top position, possibly because of concern over little progress made in recent years over the gender pay gap. Swedes have the most progressive attitudes toward gender equality, according to a report released by YouGov, a United Kingdom-based market research firm. Both men and women in the Nordic country tend to see women as an oppressed group — and leaders seem to have taken steps to address it. Sweden also fared well in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016, ranking No. 4 out of 144 countries.
No. 1: Denmark
Denmark jumps one position to be viewed as the overall Best Country for Women. The government promotes gender equality by offering an earnings-related day care system and a parental leave policy that is among the most flexible in the European Union. Denmark ranked No. 19 out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016. The report looks at the relative gaps between women and men across health, education, economy and politics.
Want to Know More?
Click below to see the full list of Best Countries for Women, or visit the U.S. News Best Countries homepage to find news and more rankings. The 2018 Best Countries rankings, formed in partnership with global marketing communications company Y&R’s brand strategy firm, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, are based on a study that surveyed more than 21,000 global citizens from four regions to asses perceptions of 80 countries on 75 different metrics.
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These Are the Best 5 Countries for Women originally appeared on usnews.com
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