PH Climbs to 20th Globally in Gender Gap Index

The Philippines has made a significant leap in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, jumping five spots to claim the 20th position out of 148 countries. This achievement marks the country’s strongest performance in years, reinforcing its role as a top contender for gender equality in Asia-Pacific, though experts caution that full parity remains a long way off, both locally and worldwide.
Read more about the Philippines’ climb

Quick take: Where the Philippines stands

The country’s overall gender parity score climbed to 78.1,% up from 77.9% last year. This 0.2-point increase reflects measurable gains in women’s participation and opportunity. The WEF’s index grades countries on four main pillars: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Notably, the Philippines remains the highest-ranking Southeast Asian nation, holding its place behind only New Zealand and Australia in the broader East Asia and Pacific bloc.
Details on regional rankings here

Progress and pitfalls: The details behind the rank

The most reliable gains were seen in economic participation, where the Philippines climbed to 13th globally, boasting the highest score in the region at 79%, a evidence to improving wage equality and income opportunities for women. However, the country’s ranking stumbled in educational attainment, tumbling to 87th globally due in large part to lower primary education enrollment. While the overall gender gap is closing, these figures reveal that progress is uneven and vulnerabilities persist, particularly in education.
Explore the subindex breakdown here

Regional leaders and global outlook

Globally, Iceland stays perched at number one, having closed more than 92% of its gender gap, while the Philippines remains one of only a handful of non-European nations in the top 20. The average global gender gap score currently sits at 68.8%. The WEF projects it will take another 123 years to achieve full global gender parity, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead for all nations, including the Philippines.
See the full Global Gender Gap Report

What’s next for the Filipino LGBT+ community?

As the country celebrates this milestone, it’s a reminder to keep pushing for equitable access and representation, not just for women, but for all gender identities. The steady climb up the global rankings signals hope, but advocates stress that laws, policies, and everyday attitudes must continue evolving. The dream? A Philippines where gender truly never limits opportunity.

What’s your take on the country’s climb? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget, every step towards equality counts.