Countries that rank highest in terms of happiness, such as Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand, also exhibit notable levels of gender equality, according to reports like the World Happiness Report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum.
These nations consistently perform well in both happiness and gender equality metrics since at least 2018, showcasing a correlation between improved gender equality and national well-being. The World Happiness Report assesses happiness based on factors like social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, while the Global Gender Gap Report evaluates gender gaps in economic opportunities, education, health, and political empowerment.
In particular, Nordic countries like Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Norway have implemented policies supporting gender equality, such as generous parental leave policies and affordable childcare. For instance, Norwegian parents have extensive paid leave options, with 49 weeks at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay, with flexibility in how they split the time. Affordable childcare options in these countries have contributed to higher female workforce participation rates, as seen in Sweden’s high percentage of working mothers.
Moreover, countries like New Zealand have taken legislative steps to address gender wage gaps, exemplified by requirements for companies to report their gender pay disparities. This concerted effort toward gender equality has not only narrowed wage gaps but also contributed to the overall happiness and well-being of these nations.
