Now in its 18th edition, the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 reveals that the world has closed 68.5% of the gender gap. However, at the current pace it will take another 134 years – equivalent to five generations – to achieve full gender parity. Globally, the gender gap has closed by 0.1 percentage points since last year.

As the longest-standing index tracking progress since 2006, the study monitors advances in closing these gaps over time. “Despite some bright spots, the slow and incremental gains highlighted in this year’s Global Gender Gap Report underscore the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to achieving gender parity, particularly in economic and political spheres,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director at The World Economic Forum. “We cannot wait until 2158 for parity. The time for decisive action is now.”

Europe continues to lead, with a gender parity score of 75% and with seven of the top 10 positions held by countries from this region. Iceland remains the most gender-equal country, having closed 93.5% of its overall gender gap.

Top 10 Gender Parity

1. Iceland – 93.5%
2. Finland – 87.5%
3. Norway – 87.5%
4. New Zeland – 83.5%
5. Sweden – 81.6%
6. Nicaragua – 81.1%
7. Germany – 81%
8. Namibia – 80.5%
9. Ireland – 80.2%
10. Spain – 79.7%

Leadership Gaps

The latest report also shows that top-level political and industry positions remain largely inaccessible for women globally. Women’s representation in the political sphere has increased at the federal and local level, though top-level positions remain largely inaccessible for women globally. With over 60 national elections in 2024 and the largest global population in history set to vote, this representation could improve. Women are also still rare in top-level positions in industry, as highlighted by LinkedIn data: the “drop to the top” in representation from entry level to C-suite is observed in every industry.

While half of economies included in the Global Gender Gap Index made incremental progress, significant disparities remain. The slight narrowing of the global gender gap in 2024 is driven by positive shifts in the economic participation and opportunity sub-index, while political empowerment and health and survival edged forward slightly and educational attainment saw a small decrease.

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Source: Global Gender Gap Report 2024