Iceland has retained first place in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index for the 17th consecutive year. According to the 2026 report, 93% of the country’s measured gender gap has been closed.
It remains the only economy above 90% overall, ahead of Finland at 87.2% and Norway at 85.7%. Meanwhile, the report identifies continuing gaps in economic participation, senior leadership and earnings.
Iceland Closes 93% of Measured Gender Gap, While Economic Participation Remains Its Weakest Area
- Iceland ranks first globally for the 17th consecutive year with 93% of its gender gap closed.
- Finland ranks second at 87.2% and Norway third at 85.7%.
- Economic participation remains Iceland’s weakest of the four measured areas, despite gains over the past year.
Political Representation Leads While Economic Gaps Remain
Iceland’s overall score rose by 0.5 percentage points from the previous edition. The World Economic Forum says Iceland has closed 81.6% of its gap in economic participation and opportunity, 96.1% in health and survival, and 95.4% in political empowerment, where it remains the only economy above 90%.
The report notes that women and men are near parity in education, while labour-force participation and representation among senior officials and managers have improved over the longer term. It also points to continued differences in estimated earned income and a faster post-pandemic decline in healthy life expectancy among women.
Iceland’s position at the top of international rankings sits alongside unfinished domestic debates. Iceland Review has reported that women now occupy many of Iceland’s highest-profile leadership roles, while the unadjusted gender pay gap widened in recent figures. A Gallup survey also found Icelanders divided over whether full equality has been achieved.
Sources: World Economic Forum; Government of Iceland
Read more stories covering Icelandic society, politics, business, and culture at Iceland Review News.
