The Top 5 Female-Friendly Countries (You Know, in Case You Feel Like Fleeing the U.S.)

Top 5 Female Friendly Countries Across the Globe - You Know, In Case You Feel Like Running!
iStock/Petar Chernaev

If our new President-elect has you reconsidering your stay in the United States, then check out these female friendly countries from around the world.  

Welp, there you have it folks, Donald Trump is officially President-elect. No matter how many times I say it, write it, or hear it, I just can’t help but think it’s still the punchline to a really bad joke. Hillary’s loss has definitely been shocking to a lot of us, and like some celebrities, we’ve probably contemplated fleeing the country and never looking back. Sayonara, Cheeto Face!

While I’d like to argue that there are many reasons for you to stay, donations made to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence’s name can be done from anywhere in the world. But seriously, we need you. And so does humanity. So what I’m about to share should only be used as a last resort, because, surprise! the United States is not even in the top ten of the world’s most female friendly countries. Instead, we’re number 45, and are gonna need a lot of work if we want to grace the highest rankings.

For the last ten years, the World Economic Forum has been compiling the Global Gender Gap Report, which basically tracks and delivers the extent to which men and women differ in society. The study takes into account the following four areas: health, education, economy, and politics. This year’s report covers 144 different countries from all across the globe. And although it has been a decade since the first report, the World Economic Forum says, “data has revealed that progress is still too slow for realizing the full potential of one half of humanity within our lifetimes.” Touche, data analysts, touche.

1. Iceland

– Iceland has held the number one spot for eight years in a row, and has closed more than 87 percent of its gender gap.

– Political Empowerment is in full force, coming it at number one among all 144 countries.

– Economic Participation and Opportunity is in the top ten and there is said to be promising improvement in the number of female legislators, official, and management.

–  According to its performance on the wage equality for similar work indicator, there is still a noticeable wage gap.

– The country has has completely eliminated the gender gap on Educational Attainment, and has done so since 2009.

– And, since the first report published in 2006, Iceland has closed almost 12 percent of its gender gap, making it one of the fastest-improving countries in the world.

2. Finland

– Finland beat out Norway this year for the number two spot, and has closed more than 84 percent of its overall gender gap.

– Political Empowerment ranks number two in the world, just behind Iceland, with ministerial positions reaching an equilibrium among both sexes.

– Both Educational Attainment and Health and Survival came in at impressive number one rankings.

– The index’s estimated earned income scale shows that Finland also needed improvement where gender wage gaps are concerned.  

3. Norway

– Norway has reportedly dropped a spot and is back in third place, having closed 84 percent of its gender gap.

– Upon review of the estimated earned income scale as set forth by the Index, this country is in the top ten, and has an equally as impressive performance on the wage equality for similar work indicator.

– It takes the third place on the Political Empowerment subindex, has moved up four spots on the Educational Attainment subindex, but has experienced widening in its Health and Survival gender gap.

4. Sweden

– Sweden rounds out the Nordic experience for female friendly countries in the top five, and has maintained its number four spot for eight consecutive years, having closed 81 percent of its overall gender gap.

– Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex is said to take a strong position, thanks in part to its increase in female legislators, senior officials, and managers, which has played a role in being able to move up seven positions from last year.

– It has nearly closed its Educational Attainment gender gap, but has lost a spot on the Political Empowerment subindex, despite its equality within ministerial positions.

5. Rwanda

– Yes, believe it or not, this landlocked country in east Africa has beat out the United States for female friendly countries, not only in the top ten, but in the top five.

– Rwanda has beat out Ireland to take the fifth spot this year, and has impressively closed its gender gap by 80 percent.

– This increase in rank is mostly credited to its improvements on its Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex, where the country has moved up six slots from last year.

– According to the study, it remains the country with the highest share of female parliamentarians in the world at 64 percent, and maintains its eighth spot on the Political Empowerment subindex.

– Its Educational Attainment gender gap, however, could use some improvement since it ranks 112th, along with its Health and Survival gap, which ranks 94th in the world.

And last but not least, we have our honorable mention, Slovenia. With our soon-to-be first lady hailing from Novo Mesto, a city from the number eight country on the top ten list of female-friendly places, we’re slightly perplexed as to why she would want to venture into the misogynistic and sexist, among others, territory that her husband reigns supreme. But, hey, to each their own.

What did you think of our female -riendly country compilation? Still interested in moving? Share your thoughts with us on the  EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Jamie Duncan

After starting out in public relations, Jamie finished college with a BFA in interior design. This combination of writing and design knowledge, coupled with her fashion and lifestyle expertise, has paved the way for an exciting freelance career. Her work has been published in magazines and online, plus she’s managed PR campaigns, and is no stranger to copywriting. Jamie’s a vegetarian and cruelty-free product fanatic. Connect with her on Twitter and check out her website to learn more.