Asia’s 10 most gender equal countries according to World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a list of the top most gender equal countries in Asia.

The list was drawn after the witnessable contribution made by Asian economies towards gender equality.

Since 2006, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index has raised awareness of gender disparities that exist around the world.

The latest report highlights the areas of outstanding performance in Asia’s top 10 gender-equal states by analyzing their economic, education, health, and political opportunities.

Philippines

The report’s findings place the Philippines as the most gender equal nation in Asia. The Philippines has completely eradicated the gap between the sexes in educational attainment but has re-opened a previously closed Health and Survival gender gap for the first time since the report was issued.

Bangladesh

This South Asian nation has closed almost 72% of its overall gender gap, with advances in every aspect of the Economic Opportunity and Participation indicator.

Mongolia

As with Bangladesh, the country improved its gender balance among legislators, senior officials, and managers, and made great strides forward with political empowerment issues for women.

Lao PDR

Lao is the only country outside of Africa to eliminate the gender gap in labor-force participation. Lao has recorded year-on-year improvements in tertiary enrolment opportunities and improved women’s share of estimated earned income.

Singapore

Singapore saw more female participation in the economy, with a notable increase in female labor-force participation and continued a trend now approaching near-parity in technical and professional workers. Singapore also ranked higher in increasing parity in healthy life expectancy.

Vietnam

Although Vietnam experienced a decrease in gender parity for women in ministerial positions, it fully closed the gender gap among its technical and professional workers. Likewise, equal opportunities were recorded for enrolment in tertiary education sectors.

Thailand

Thailand saw greater gender parity for women in ministerial positions. Also, the country fully closed its gender gap for technical and professional workers and, like Vietnam, saw more parity with enrolment in tertiary education.

Myanmar

A newcomer to the list, Myanmar has eliminated gender differences in secondary and tertiary education enrolment. In addition to increasing women’s share of technical and professional roles, closing the gap fully, Myanmar has reached near parity in total labor-force participation.

Indonesia

Advances have been made by Indonesia in wage equality for similar work and opportunities for political empowerment. However, the previously closed gender gap for professional and technical workers has begun to widen for the second year in a row.

Cambodia

Cambodian women enjoy an increased share of a legislator, senior official and management roles, and greater opportunities to enroll in tertiary education.