According to The Economist’s glass-ceiling index 2016, the largest share of women who have acquired higher education compared to men belongs to Finland. 49% of Finnish women have a tertiary degree comparing to 35% of men.
The gender wage-gap of Norway (6.3%) was less than half of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 15.5%.
The data was compiled on business school applications, higher educations, child-care benefits, level of labour force participation, salary, maternity rights, and representation in senior jobs.
Japan, Turkey and South Korea were at bottom of the list where men were more likely to be given a degree and work in senior position. There is also a wide pay gap in their country.
The 10 best countries for working women according to the glass ceiling index 2016 are as follows:
10 – New Zealand
New Zealand has the lowest gender wage gap with 5.6%. 40% of the women in the country are employed on senior or managerial positions. Data showed that the country’s women, employed on full-time basis, earn about 5.6 per cent less than men, the smallest gap among 34 OECD countries.
9 – Belgium
After New Zealand, comes Belgium with gender wage gap at just 6.4%. The country has a high percentage of children in formal childcare. It offers different kinds of numerous family benefits for families, parental leaves and career-breaks to both parents to facilitate work-life balance.
8 – Spain
Women make up nearly 41.1% of the Spanish parliament which is the second highest after Finland. Turkey and Spain, for example, both provide 16 weeks of maternity leave, but in Spain new mothers are given full salary whereas in Turkey provides just 66%.
7 – Denmark
Danish women earn 7.8% less than the males in the country, . The family policy in the country gives priority to the principle of a ‘dual-earner’ family and the country system supports equal rights between males and females. It’s parental leave system is among the most generous and flexible in the European Union. Mothers can avail 4 weeks of maternity leave before the expected date of birth and 14 weeks of maternity leave after the birth.
6 – Hungary
Women complete 43% GMAT exams in the country whereas they are also employed 40.4% of senior managerial positions in Hungary. The country has had a family-friendly workplace award to recognize companies and institutions that have introduced steps facilitate better work-life balance among employees.
5 – France
Women in France make up 39% managerial or senior positions and just under 29% of company board members.
4 – Poland
Polish women are given 22 weeks off work with full pay. In Poland, 53% of women are employed which is less than the OECD average of 58%. The country has been able to address the constraints and barriers women face in gaining access to work.
3 – Sweden
It has the highest proportion of female members of parliament with 43.6% whereas net childcare costs accounted for just 5.8% of the average woman’s salary. Parents in Sweden are among the EU’s most successful in balancing work and family responsibilities. Objective of the Swedish financial family policy is to improve the standard of living for all families with children and to promote equality in parenthood.
2 – Norway
Norway still managed to do well despite being knocked from the top spot this year. Nearly 40% of the Parliamentarians are females while 31% of senior managerial positions occupied by women. The country’s laws also require at least 40% of all public limited company board members to be females.
1 – Finland
Finland had the highest share of women in higher education and the largest female labour-force participation, according to the analysis in the report. 83% of women, even mothers, in the country are working on full time basis due to the role played by the country’s public childcare and free school meals system. Finland had one of the highest female employment rates in EU with 68% in 2014. Parents can focus on families while keeping their jobs secure due to strong state support for children and families. The country also provides access to public day care for all children under the age of seven years along with a generous system of family leave and allowances.
