The Global Gender Gap Report 2013

The World Economic Forum has released the Global Gender Gap Report 2013. It provides a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities around the world. The index benchmarks national gender gaps of 136 countries on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria.

According to the report, the economic gender gaps in the Asia-Pacific region decreased by only 56%, and they fall behind other countries except the Middle and Near East or North African countries. The Philippines ranks fifth. It is the highest ranking country in Asia, primarily due to success in health, education and economic participation. On the other hand, China is 69th, Japan is 105th, and Korea is 111th.

Iceland has the narrowest gender gap in the world, followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Japan moved down for four. It is because women participation and opportunities in economic activities have not improved due to decreasing of female lawmakers.