Sweden Overtakes Iceland to Top 2025 Glass-Ceiling Index and New Zealand Rises to 6th, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey Rank Lowest.
Index
London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based The Economist Group, a media company, released its annual edition of the 'Glass-Ceiling Index (GCI)' on the occasion of International Women's Day (IWD), which is celebrated annually on March 8 worldwide.
- As per the index, Sweden secured the 1st position globally, replacing Iceland, which had topped the index for the last two consecutive years.
- Now, Iceland has dropped one place in its ranking, moving from the 1st spot (in 2024) to the 2nd spot (in 2025).
- Among the top 10 best countries for working women in 2025, five are Nordic countries. Sweden secured the 1st position, followed by Iceland in 2nd place, which dropped one rank from the previous year. Finland claimed the 3rd spot, while Norway ranked 4th. Denmark also made it to the top 10, securing the 9th position.
Main Point :- (i) The index evaluated the working conditions for women across the 29 countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with New Zealand emerging as the most improved country, moving up by 8 places to secure the 6th spot.
(ii) The bottom 3 countries on the index are: Japan (27th), South Korea (28th), Turkey (29th).
(iii) The report cited that these 3 countries are influenced by deep-rooted societal norms and the wage gap, which are the main factors contributing to the under-representation of women in leadership roles.
About the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Secretary-General: Mathias Cormann
Headquarters: Paris
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