{"id":2167377,"date":"2026-09-28T07:47:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T04:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167377"},"modified":"2026-09-28T07:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T04:47:59","slug":"how-successful-is-europe-at-closing-the-gender-gap-between-men-and-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167377","title":{"rendered":"How successful is Europe at closing the gender gap between men and women?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/85\/1200x675_cmsv2_b08f6e7c-53c6-5038-9c0c-2e52e0c8b94f-9924685.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2929196-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929196\" data-cid=\"9930296\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929196-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_5d28a5c1-c020-5d25-a575-297ddb670115-9930296.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, Turkey&apos;s Minister of Family Affairs, speaks to the media at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on 12 March 2017. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkey\u2019s fund probe: Asset freezes lifted as AKP deputy chair quits\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929188-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929188\" data-cid=\"9930252\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929188-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_9e1b1377-9bf2-512a-95b2-dab85918ecd8-9930252.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" North Korean men and women use computer terminals at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea. (June 16, 2017)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Money<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    North Korean hackers suspected in \u20ac332.8m crypto heist as it leads global hacks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929224-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929224\" data-cid=\"9930446\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929224-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/04\/46\/189x106_cmsv2_91224ac0-8896-549e-a8ef-8f6b6032c6cf-9930446.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | September 28th, 2026 \u2013 Midday\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | September 28th, 2026 \u2013 Midday\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929186-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929186\" data-cid=\"9930385\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929186-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_52d95ac1-f797-57e6-afce-fe007564cd5e-9930385.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A composite photo of Bal\u00e1zs Hank\u00f3, PM P\u00e9ter Magyar and Mikl\u00f3s Seszt\u00e1k\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hungarian parliament lifts immunity of PM and Orb\u00e1n-era ministers\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929196-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929196\" data-cid=\"9930296\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929196-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_5d28a5c1-c020-5d25-a575-297ddb670115-9930296.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, Turkey&apos;s Minister of Family Affairs, speaks to the media at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on 12 March 2017. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkey\u2019s fund probe: Asset freezes lifted as AKP deputy chair quits\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929188-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929188\" data-cid=\"9930252\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929188-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_9e1b1377-9bf2-512a-95b2-dab85918ecd8-9930252.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" North Korean men and women use computer terminals at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea. (June 16, 2017)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Money<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    North Korean hackers suspected in \u20ac332.8m crypto heist as it leads global hacks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929224-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929224\" data-cid=\"9930446\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929224-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/04\/46\/189x106_cmsv2_91224ac0-8896-549e-a8ef-8f6b6032c6cf-9930446.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | September 28th, 2026 \u2013 Midday\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | September 28th, 2026 \u2013 Midday\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929186-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929186\" data-cid=\"9930385\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929186-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_52d95ac1-f797-57e6-afce-fe007564cd5e-9930385.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A composite photo of Bal\u00e1zs Hank\u00f3, PM P\u00e9ter Magyar and Mikl\u00f3s Seszt\u00e1k\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hungarian parliament lifts immunity of PM and Orb\u00e1n-era ministers\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          My Europe Series<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe in Motion<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            How successful is Europe at closing the gender gap between men and women?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"js-playercontrols u-height-full u-position-absolute u-width-full is-autoplaying\" data-translations=\"{&quot;error&quot;:&quot;This video could not be played.&quot;,&quot;geoblocked&quot;:&quot;Sorry, this content is not available in your country&quot;,&quot;slow&quot;:&quot;This is taking longer than usual&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"js-loadtrigger js-loadtrigger__button c-loadtrigger__button\" role=\"status\"><span class=\"js-loadtrigger__label c-loadtrigger__label u-visually-hidden\">Loading the video<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/85\/1536x864_cmsv2_b08f6e7c-53c6-5038-9c0c-2e52e0c8b94f-9924685.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Europe in Motion\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Europe in Motion<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspLauren Walker&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbsp<b>video by L\u00e9a Becquet<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790581679\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-28 09:47:59 +02:00\">28\/09\/2026 &#8211; 9:47 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Europe continues to be a global leader when it comes to what is possible for men and women, but huge gaps exist between European countries, and full equality remains a very distant reality.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>It is widely known that a gap remains between men and women in the world, not only when it comes to equal pay, but also to access to the labour market, education and health. This difference in opportunities is referred to as the gender gap. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Europe has regained its position as the global leader in closing this divide, according to new data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which has measured this gap since 2006. <\/p>\n<p>The continent closed 75.7% of its overall gender gap this year. This leaves a 24.3% gap to achieve equal representation. It narrowly overtook North America, which ranked first last year.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2006, Europe&#8217;s gender parity has improved by 7 percentage points. It is not expected to reach full parity \u2014 meaning there is no difference in the opportunities for men and women, or a zero percent gender gap \u2014 in 70 years.<\/p>\n<p>The report looked at education, health, economic participation and politics. Europe is the champion in the latter category with a score of 37%. It is closely followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (34.2%). Other regions trail behind by ten percentage points or more.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-flourish widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Europe&#8217;s performance per subindex<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Europe continues to maintain near parity in the categories of Educational Attainment (99.5%) and Health and Survival (96.9%). Still, it is in third and fourth place in these indexes compared to other regions.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to Economic Participation and Opportunity, it ranks in fifth position (69.5%), almost eight percentage points below the table&#8217;s leader, North America (77.1%).<\/p>\n<h2>Uneven growth<\/h2>\n<p>Of all regions in the world, Europe accounts for the most countries in the top ten. &#8220;Since the index was launched in 2006, Europe has occupied 69% of all top 10,&#8221; the WEF report noted. &#8220;Continuing the trend established in prior editions, this year\u2019s top performers include seven European economies.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>These countries are Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden (which have featured in every top ten for the past two decades), as well as the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland.<\/p>\n<p>Only Iceland has closed more than 90% of the gender gap (93%).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Iceland has demonstrated a consistently positive trajectory towards gender parity over the past two decades, remaining in the global top 10 throughout the period and holding the top position since the 2009 edition,&#8221; the WEF report read.<\/p>\n<p>It scores particularly well when it comes to Political Empowerment (95.4%). This is driven by the country&#8217;s intentional public policies promoting gender balance and its history of female representation in top positions of power: Iceland was the first country in the world to democratically elect a woman, Vigd\u00eds Finnbogad\u00f3ttir, as president in 1980.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Europe&#8217;s top position, a deep divide remains within the continent. The countries topping the region\u2019s ranking are mainly located in Northern Europe, while many of the states trailing behind are located in the East. <\/p>\n<p>The bottom three performers, T\u00fcrkiye (0.649%), Romania (0.698%) and Hungary (0.707%), stand more than 20 percentage points below Iceland.<\/p>\n<p>In Romania, this low score is largely due to its low score in the Political Empowerment category (0.145%), placing it in 104th place for this category. This is driven by a lack of mandatory quotas and closed internal party systems.<\/p>\n<p>This category is also the driving factor for Hungary&#8217;s low score (0.132% in Political Empowerment). It has no women in ministerial positions, giving it a score of 0% in this particular category of this subindex.<\/p>\n<p>The European Union wants to close the broader gender gap through a range of policies and measures, ranging from EU Pay Transparency Rules requiring companies to share information on salaries in a bid to bring down the pay gap, to rules on parental leave and flexible working hours to help divide care and work duties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Women dominate Europe&#8217;s health workforce but earn 19% less per hour, WHO warns<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Cost of pay gap in the EU: Women earn \u20ac3,900 less than men a year<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Which EU countries fight pay gaps? New transparency rules split the bloc<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Gender equality<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Education<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  labour market<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div 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class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929145\" data-cid=\"9930004\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929145-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/00\/04\/320x180_cmsv2_9ecec385-83d6-5bba-a997-039b8a6537a3-9930004.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers guard a road leading to RAF Fairford, 28 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK police probe Iran link to suspected bomb plot at RAF base<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2929115-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" 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content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928613-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/77\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_220e7d0e-95e6-536e-9fbb-d215b85d184d-9927777.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Euronews Travel &amp; Tourism Summit will be live from the Albert Hall in Brussels\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Euronews Travel &amp; Tourism Summit: Speakers, topics and how to watch<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2929001-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929001\" data-cid=\"9929499\" data-part-label=\"Partner 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929208-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929208\" data-cid=\"9930368\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929208-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/68\/320x180_cmsv2_99adb2f6-3185-529d-b3df-1b911e30bc41-9930368.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in Brussels on 28 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Increased Russian sabotage attempts prompts EU response<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929145-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929145\" data-cid=\"9930004\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929145-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/00\/04\/320x180_cmsv2_9ecec385-83d6-5bba-a997-039b8a6537a3-9930004.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers guard a road leading to RAF Fairford, 28 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK police probe Iran link to suspected bomb plot at RAF base<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929115-pos4-top-stories\" 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cross-border evacuation plan<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929038-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929038\" data-cid=\"9929678\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC claims, US denies seizure of underwater US drone in Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929115-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929115\" data-cid=\"9929850\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Seoul demands apology after Kyiv reveals transfer of North Korean POWs<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929005-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929005\" data-cid=\"9929459\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU tells capitals to cut gas demand amid rising supply concerns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928893-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928893\" data-cid=\"9929054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Etna erupts again: chaos at Catania airport, risk of higher air fares<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">It is widely known that a gap remains between men and women in the world, not only when it comes to equal pay, but also to access to the labour market, education and health. This difference in opportunities is referred to as the gender gap.Europe has regained its position as the global leader in closing this divide, according to new data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which has measured this gap since 2006.\u00a0The continent closed 75.7% of its overall gender gap this year. This leaves a 24.3% gap to achieve equal representation. It narrowly overtook North America, which ranked first last year.Since 2006, Europe&#8217;s gender parity has improved by 7 percentage points. It is not expected to reach full parity \u2014 meaning there is no difference in the opportunities for men and women, or a zero percent gender gap \u2014 in 70 years.The report looked at education, health, economic participation and politics. Europe is the champion in the latter category with a score of 37%.\u00a0It is closely followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (34.2%). Other regions trail behind by ten percentage points or more.Europe continues to maintain near parity in the categories of Educational Attainment (99.5%) and Health and Survival (96.9%). Still, it is in third and fourth place in these indexes compared to other regions.When it comes to Economic Participation and Opportunity, it ranks in fifth position (69.5%), almost eight percentage points below the table&#8217;s leader, North America (77.1%).Uneven growthOf all regions in the world, Europe accounts for the most countries in the top ten. &#8220;Since the index was launched in 2006, Europe has occupied 69% of all top 10,&#8221; the WEF report noted. &#8220;Continuing the trend established in prior editions, this year\u2019s top performers include seven European economies.&#8221;These countries are Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden (which have featured in every top ten for the past two decades), as well as the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland.Only Iceland has closed more than 90% of the gender gap (93%).&#8221;Iceland has demonstrated a consistently positive trajectory towards gender parity over the past two decades, remaining in the global top 10 throughout the period and holding the top position since the 2009 edition,&#8221; the WEF report read.It scores particularly well when it comes to Political Empowerment (95.4%). This is driven by the country&#8217;s intentional public policies promoting gender balance and its history of female representation in top positions of power: Iceland was the first country in the world to democratically elect a woman, Vigd\u00eds Finnbogad\u00f3ttir, as president in 1980.Despite Europe&#8217;s top position, a deep divide remains within the continent. The countries topping the region\u2019s ranking are mainly located in Northern Europe, while many of the states trailing behind are located in the East.The bottom three performers, T\u00fcrkiye (0.649%), Romania (0.698%) and Hungary (0.707%), stand more than 20 percentage points below Iceland.In Romania, this low score is largely due to its low score in the Political Empowerment category (0.145%), placing it in 104th place for this category. This is driven by a lack of mandatory quotas and closed internal party systems.This category is also the driving factor for Hungary&#8217;s low score (0.132% in Political Empowerment). It has no women in ministerial positions, giving it a score of 0% in this particular category of this subindex.The European Union wants to close the broader gender gap through a range of policies and measures, ranging from EU Pay Transparency Rules requiring companies to share information on salaries in a bid to bring down the pay gap, to rules on parental leave and flexible working hours to help divide care and work duties.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/28\/how-successful-is-europe-at-closing-the-gender-gap-between-men-and-women&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/85\/1200x675_cmsv2_b08f6e7c-53c6-5038-9c0c-2e52e0c8b94f-9924685.jpg&#8221;] Markets Turkey\u2019s fund probe: Asset freezes lifted as AKP deputy chair quits Money North Korean hackers suspected in \u20ac332.8m crypto heist as it leads global hacks Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | September 28th, 2026 \u2013 Midday Europe News Hungarian parliament lifts immunity of PM and Orb\u00e1n-era ministers Markets Turkey\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2167377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2167377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167377\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2167377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2167377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2167377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}