India's position dropped by two ranks to 129th place on the Global Gender Gap index by the World Economic Forum, with Iceland maintaining its top spot.
In South Asia, India secured the fifth position after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, while Pakistan landed at the bottom. Sudan occupied the lowest rank globally among 146 countries, with Pakistan slipping three places to 145th.
India, Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Morocco were among the countries with the lowest levels of economic parity, all reporting less than 30 per cent gender parity in estimated earned income.
Even so, India exhibited the highest gender parity in terms of secondary education enrollment and performed well in women's political empowerment, securing the 65th rank globally.
India was ranked 10th in terms of parity in the number of years with female/male heads of state for the last 50 years.
With a population of over 140 crore, India closed 64.1 per cent of its gender gap in 2024.
The two-place decline from 127th last year was mainly due to small declines in the 'Educational Attainment' and 'Political Empowerment' parameters, while the 'Economic Participation' and 'Opportunity' scores slightly improved.
WEF reported that India's economic equality score has increased over the last four years.
Regarding Political Empowerment, India ranked in the top 10 for the head-of-state indicator, but its representation of women at the government level, in ministerial positions (6.9 per cent), and in Parliament (17.2 per cent) remains relatively low.
WEF noted that globally, 68.5 per cent of the gender gap has been closed, but at the current rate, it will take another 134 years, which is equivalent to five generations, to achieve full gender equality.
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