12 Best Countries for Women (Only 3 Are Outside Europe)

This Nordic country continues to set the global standard for gender equality.

Norway scores highly on all aspects of the Women, Peace, and Security Index. It offers strong legal protections against sexual violence, extremely low maternal mortality rates, and high levels of political participation by women.

With community safety and healthcare access prioritized, Norway leads in advancing gender equality and women's inclusion across the board.

Sweden has one of the world’s highest proportions of women in parliament (46.4 percent of seats), and it maintains strong legal protections as well as universal access to education for women.

It also maintains strong societal support systems and is deeply committed to reducing gender-based violence.

With progressive policies and a culture that values women’s rights, Sweden is consistently ranked among the best countries for women in the world.

In Denmark, women enjoy a high level of safety and inclusion. The country supports maternal healthcare, education, and equal access to employment. Gender equality is woven into national law and public policy.

Denmark's peace and security index score reflects a low rate of intimate partner violence and strong access to community services.

Switzerland performs well in almost every category related to women’s well-being. With extremely low maternal deaths, strong protections against legal discrimination, and high financial inclusion, it's one of the most gender-equal nations globally.

Swiss women also benefit from advanced healthcare and high cellphone use, an indicator of access to communication and opportunity.

Dutch women enjoy excellent protections and a culture of openness. The Netherlands ranks high in education, community safety, and financial independence.

Low levels of political violence and strong support for women’s health and rights make it one of the top countries for women.

The first country to grant women full political rights, Finland continues to excel in women's inclusion and safety. With strong scores in education, employment, and low rates of violence, Finland remains a global role model.

Its society strongly supports gender equality, with equal access to services and nearly equal representation in government.

Canada remains one of the strongest countries outside Europe for women’s rights. It ranks well on the peace and security index, offers widespread access to healthcare, and actively works to reduce gender-based violence.

The Canadian government invests in programs to support women in politics, business, and Indigenous communities.

Germany scores highly in education, employment, and legal rights for women. It also maintains strong protections against sexual and political violence and promotes equality through government-backed initiatives.

With increasing numbers of women in parliamentary seats and growing societal support, Germany is a leader in gender equality.

Often topping global equality lists, Iceland is a standout among the Nordic countries. It has eliminated nearly all legal discrimination and continues to reduce the gender pay gap.

Women in Iceland benefit from community safety, strong support for working mothers, and consistent political representation.

Australia makes the list with strong protections against intimate partner violence and high levels of access to financial services. Women's participation in the workforce continues to rise, and government programs target health, education, and safety.

Australia's ranking on the security index reflects strong societal awareness and active legal frameworks supporting women.

While not historically known for gender equality, South Korea is rapidly improving. With increasing financial inclusion and tech-driven initiatives, the vast majority of women in South Korea have their own bank accounts (about 98.7 percent) and use mobile phones (roughly 96 percent).

Government programs are addressing gender-based violence and promoting women's rights across urban and rural regions.

France offers comprehensive maternal care, widespread education access, and growing political representation for women. Legal reforms have strengthened protections against harassment and workplace discrimination.

France’s role in global efforts to advance women's rights, both within and through the United Nations, contributes to its strong performance.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.