11 Worst Countries for Gender Equality

1. Yemen

Final rank: 145

Economic participation and opportunity: 145

Educational attainment: 142

Health and survival: 123

Political empowerment: 140

Yemen ranks as first on our list of 11 worst countries for gender equality. In terms of economic participation the country recorded the lowest score – 26 percent of working women are part of the labor force, only 2 percent of leading positions is in hands of women, and they constitute 15 percent of all professional and technical workers. Additionally, 54 percent of working age women is unemployed compared to 12 percent of men. Compared to other three areas, the country recorded the best score in health. However, 123rd place is a major drop compared to 2006 when the country occupied 48th position. In terms of political empowerment, women also experience gender-based restrictions. There are no female politicians in parliament while only 10 percent of ministerial positions is held by women. Finally, in the area of educational attainment the country has a lot of work ahead, especially in closing the gap between female and male enrollment rate at tertiary education.

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