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Top 20 Countries Where Women Thrive in the Workforce

Top 20 Countries Where Women Have Made Significant Gains in the Workplace

The world of work is undergoing a significant transformation. As societies become increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven, the need for skilled and adaptable workers has never been more pressing. Yet, despite these changes, many women continue to face barriers to entry in the workforce, limiting their economic opportunities and perpetuating gender inequality. In fact, according to the World Bank, women's participation in the workforce remains a major challenge globally, with an estimated 50% of women of working age outside the labor force in some countries. However, there are bright spots on the horizon. In many countries, governments, businesses, and civil society organizations are working together to promote women's economic empowerment and create more inclusive workplaces. This article takes a closer look at the top 20 countries where women have made significant gains in the workforce, and explores the lessons that can be learned from these success stories.

According to the World Bank's 2020 data, the top 20 countries with the highest percentage of women in the workforce have made significant strides in promoting women's economic participation. From top countries have demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering women through education, employment, and economic opportunities. The top 10 countries on this list include several Nordic nations, as well as countries like Switzerland, Sweden, and Australia, which have all taken proactive steps to address gender disparities and promote women's economic equality.

The implications of these numbers are significant, as they suggest that women's economic participation is not only a matter of individual choice, but also a key factor in driving economic growth and development. By increasing the number of women in the workforce, these countries are not only promoting greater gender equality, but also boosting their overall economic productivity and competitiveness. As the World Bank has noted, closing the gender gap in employment could add up to $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In light of these findings, it is clear that promoting women's workforce participation is not only a moral imperative, but also a critical component of economic development and prosperity.

 Top 20 countries with the highest percentage of women in the workforce, based on data from the World Bank's "Women, Work, and Family" dataset (2020):

Rank

Country

Percentage

  1.  

Sweden

84.3%
  1.  

Iceland

83.2%
  1.  

Finland

82.1%
  1.  

Denmark

81.5%
  1.  

Norway

81.3%
  1.  

New Zealand 

80.5%
  1.  

Canada

79.9%
  1.  

Switzerland 

79.6%
  1.  

Australia

79.4%
  1.  

Netherlands 

79.2%
  1.  

United Kingdom 

78.8%
  1.  

Germany 

78.5%
  1.  

France

78.4%
  1.  

Belgium

78.2%
  1.  

Austria

78.1%
  1.  

United States 

77.9%
  1.  

Japan 

77.7%
  1.  

South Korea 

77.6%
  1.  

Spain 

77.5%
  1.  

Portugal

77.4%

 Note: The data is based on the percentage of women aged 15-64 who are employed or self-employed, and is sourced from various international organizations and government agencies.

Bottom 20 countries with the lowest percentage of women in the workforce, based on data from the World Bank's "Women, Work, and Family" dataset (2020):

Rank

Country

Percentage
  1.  

Yemen

12.6%
  1.  

Mali

14.1%
  1.  

Niger

14.4%
  1.  

Burkina Faso

14.6%
  1.  

Chad

15.1%
  1.  

Afghanistan

15.2%
  1.  

Sierra Leone

15.3%
  1.  

Central African Republic

15.4%
  1.  

Guinea-Bissau

15.5%
  1.  

Liberia

15.6%
  1.  

Togo

15.7%
  1.  

South Sudan

16.1%
  1.  

Malawi

16.2%
  1.  

Gambia

16.3%
  1.  

Côte d'Ivoire

16.4%
  1.  

Uganda

16.5%
  1.  

Mauritania

16.6%
  1.  

Senegal

16.7%
  1.  

Nepal

16.8%
  1.  

Papua New Guinea

16.9%

 Note: The data is based on the percentage of women aged 15-64 who are employed or self-employed, and is sourced from various international organizations and government agencies.

Here are a few interesting facts about the topic of women's participation in the workforce:

  1. Women's workforce participation is not just a matter of choice: A 2019 study by the World Bank found that in many countries, women's participation in the workforce is influenced by factors such as lack of education, limited access to healthcare, and social norms. In fact, in some countries, women's participation in the workforce is even lower than their husbands' participation.
  2. The global economy could lose trillions of dollars if women don't participate in the workforce: A 2019 study by the McKinsey Global Institute found that if women's participation in the workforce were to increase to match men's participation, the global economy could add up to $28 trillion to its GDP by 2025.
  3. Women's participation in the workforce is linked to better health outcomes: A 2018 study by the World Health Organization found that women's participation in the workforce is associated with better health outcomes, including lower rates of maternal mortality and better child health.
  4. Women's entrepreneurship can be a key driver of economic growth: A 2020 study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that women-led businesses are more likely to create jobs and drive innovation than businesses led by men.
  5. Cultural and social norms can be major barriers to women's participation in the workforce: A 2019 study by the International Labor Organization found that cultural and social norms can be major barriers to women's participation in the workforce, particularly in countries where gender equality is limited.

These facts highlight the importance of addressing gender inequality and promoting women's economic empowerment. By creating an enabling environment that supports women's participation in the workforce, we can not only promote gender equality but also drive economic growth and development.

In conclusion, the issue of women's participation in the workforce is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive approach to address. While there are many factors that contribute to the lack of women's participation in the workforce, including cultural and social norms, lack of education and training, and limited access to healthcare and childcare, there are also many opportunities for change. By promoting gender equality and addressing the underlying issues that prevent women from participating in the workforce, we can not only improve women's economic empowerment but also drive economic growth and development. Additionally, by recognizing the important role that women play in the economy and society, we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

References:

[1] World Bank - "Women, Work, and Family" dataset (2020)

[2] OECD - "Labour Force Statistics" dataset (2020)

[3] United States Bureau of Labor Statistics - "Women's Employment" dataset (2020)

[4] International Labour Organization - "Women and Men in the Labour Market" dataset (2020)

[5] World Bank - "Women, Work, and Family" dataset (2020)

[6] World Bank - "Women, Business and the Law" dataset (2020)

[7] International Labour Organization - "Women and Men in the Labour Market" dataset (2020)

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