Best countries for women to work and live in 2024 (2024)

There are many different aspects to consider when determining the best countries for women. These aspects include professional, economic, and personal development opportunities.

Gender equality and pay equity

Gender gaps still persist in many countries around the world and prevent women from professional fulfillment and success. Gender equality is a crucial requirement that needs to be fulfilled when evaluating countries on their attractiveness for working women.

The most important aspect to consider is pay parity between men and women because gender pay gaps are, without a doubt, the most prominent inequality women face in the workplace. Some countries are already on a good path when it comes to achieving equal pay for equal work. But on a global scale, there still is a long way to go.

Maternity and parental leave policies

Many working women want to have children at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, balancing career ambitions and maternal duties can be tricky. In many countries, women are still lacking the necessary support and leave entitlements to successfully combine professional life and motherhood. That’s why countries with generous parental leave regulations are high up on the list of best countries for women to work and live.

Special leave for women

According to estimates from the United Nations, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence from either their sexual partner or a non-partner at least once in their life. In cases of sexual abuse or domestic violence, work should be the last thing women have to worry about.

There aren’t many countries that have implemented special types of leave that give women the right to take time off work in emergency situations, such as domestic abuse. The countries that have introduced special leave entitlements for women therefore clearly stand out. Another example is the right to take time off work for a miscarriage.

Career opportunities and female leadership

Job prospects and career opportunities are also important aspects to consider when choosing the best countries for women to work. When evaluating career opportunities for women in a country, however, it’s not enough to just look at the number of open positions. Instead, it’s necessary to assess gender bias in hiring and recruiting and the actual accessibility of open roles for female applicants.

Female leadership is another critical aspect to consider here. The best countries for women to pursue a successful career are those that show a strong participation of women in management positions and boards.

Political empowerment and women’s rights

Inequalities in the workplace are often a mirror of women’s political participation in a country. In countries where women lack political empowerment, the necessary structures to allow for equal participation in the workplace are typically missing too.

Female empowerment does not only refer to women’s rights and their participation in government and parliament, but it also includes the absence of legal discrimination against women in all aspects of life.

Further aspects to consider

Gender equality, female leadership, and political empowerment are definitely among the most important criteria for choosing the best countries for women. But there are several other factors that also need to be considered. They include:

• Work-life balance: Parental leave policies are an important factor when it comes to balancing career and motherhood. But a short workweek and the right to request flexible working hours are equally important.

• Safety: Whether it’s organized crime or the rate of domestic violence, feeling safe in the country one lives in is crucial.

• Financial inclusion: Financial inclusion is yet another domain that is traditionally marked by gender gaps.

• Access to education: Education is fundamental for professional development and financial independence, which makes it another important factor to consider when ranking the best countries for women to live and work.