20 Best Countries to Live According to Global Gender Gap Report

As a Canadian business that embraces diversity we’re particularly interested to see how Canada ranks when it comes to the gender gap. We have explored Canada’s position on the world’s stage in posts like the best country to live, smartest countries, the happiest countries, the  most peaceful countries, the most sustainable countries, the friendliest countries, the most charitable countries, the most prosperous countries, the best countries for quality of life, the best countries for business, the top countries for life expectancy, the best countries for working women, the best country for world travel & tourism, the best countries for human development, the top countries for Clean Capitalism, the best country for child well-being, the best countries from social progress, the best countries for higher education, the most popular countries, the least corrupt countries, the best countries for paid vacation days, the countries with the best reputation, the best countries for global professionals, the best countries for ease of doing business, the best countries for starting a business, the best country for business, the best country for customer satisfaction, the most gay positive country, the best countries with the most competitive economies, the best countries for entrepreneurship, the most sustainable countries, the best countries to grow old, the top countries for longest hours worked, the best countries for innovation and the best countries for expats. Today, I’m adding the 20 best countries according to the Global Gender Gap Report by World Economic Forum (WEF).

The 8th edition of WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2013 rated “136 countries on their ability to close the gender gap in four key areas: economic participation and opportunity, political empowerment, health and survival, educational attainment, political participation and economic equality.” According to the data collected, the 20 best countries are:

1. Iceland – 2012 ranking: 1
2. Finland – 2012 ranking: 2
3. Norway – 2012 ranking: 3
4. Sweden – 2012 ranking: 4
5. Philippines – 2012 ranking: 8
6. Ireland – 2012 ranking: 5
7. New Zealand – 2012 ranking: 6
8. Denmark – 2012 ranking: 7
9. Switzerland – 2012 ranking: 10
10. Nicaragua – 2012 ranking: 9
11. Belgium – 2012 ranking: 12
12. Latvia – 2012 ranking: 15
13. Netherlands – 2012 ranking: 11
14. Germany – 2012 ranking: 13
15. Cuba – 2012 ranking: 19
16. Lesotho – 2012 ranking: 14
17. South Africa – 2012 ranking: 16
18. United Kingdom – 2012 ranking: 18
19. Austria – 2012 ranking: 20
20. Canada – 2012 ranking: 21

Surprisingly, the U.S. held the 23rd spot.

In the last year there have been overall strides made to the gender gap as 86 out of 133 countries listed had improved scores over the previous year. About the slowly closing gender-gap, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab said, “Countries will need to start thinking of human capital very differently – including how they integrate women into leadership roles. This shift in mindset and practice is not a goal for the future, it is an imperative today.”

Hopefully this trend continues and I wish I could say I was proud of Canada’s placement but I can’t because I’m not. I guess it’s better than ranking 21st as we did last year but it’s quite a fall from the 14th position Canada held in 2006 when the report debuted. Shame on you Canada. You can do better than that.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hpQ3X2wlWU[/youtube]

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