Be careful when using these indexes. They measure qualities that are difficult to quantify. Moreover, methodologies often change year to year; therefore, multiyear comparisons are often invalid. For these reasons, it is important to know the methodologies used to derive these cross country comparisons before using them. Most of the indexes included provide their methodology.
Search tip: If you are looking for an indicator, e.g. stability, do a search in the search box in the upper right. That will let you know which index measures that quality.
- Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) (1995- ) from United Nations Development Programme
A composite index measuring gender inequality in three basic dimensions of empowerment: economic participation and decision-making; political participation and decision-making; and power over economic resources. The rankings are available in each of the Human Development Reports starting from the 1995 edition. (Call number=Ref HD72 .H85 in Ready Reference)
- Gender Equity Index (2007- ) from Social Watch
Measures the gap between women and men in over 150 countries based on the dimensions of education, economic activity, and empowerment.
- Gender-related Development Index (GDI) (1995- ) from United Nations Development Programme
A composite index that measures human development in the same dimensions as the Human Development Indicators while adjusting for gender inequality in those basic dimensions. Its coverage is limited to 136 countries and areas for which the HDI rank was recalculated. The GDI is not a measure of gender inequality. It is the HDI adjusted for gender disparities in its basic components. The rankings are available in each of the Human Development Reports starting from the 1995 edition. (Call number=Ref HD72 .H85 in Ready Reference)
- Global Gender Gap Index (2006- ) from World Economic Forum
The country rankings and scores can be found in each Global Gender Gap Report.
The Global Gender Gap Index uses 14 variables to examine the gap between men and women in four fundamental categories: economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment.
- Women in National Parliaments (1997- ) from Inter-Parliamentary Union
Ranking of countries according to percentage of women in lower or single House of Parliament.
- Women's Rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Citizenship and Justice (2005, 2010) from Freedom House
Survey of the state of women's rights in Arab MENA countries. Ratings(pdf) are given for five categories:
- Non-Discrimination and Access to Justice
- Autonomy, Security, and Freedom of the Person
- Economic Rights and Equal Opportunity
- Political Rights and Civic Voice
- Social and Cultural Right.
