The Netherlands is once again well below its neighbouring countries on the annual Global Gender Gap Index. As last year, the Netherlands is in 28th place in the ranking, while countries such as Belgium, Germany and the Nordic lands are in the top 10. 

The research is carried out by the World Economic Forum in 146 countries and is based on factors such as work, access to education, political influence and health. 

The Dutch research, carried out by the University of Amsterdam, says the Netherlands has managed to close the gender gap by 77.7%, a position virtually unchanged on 2021. Top of the list is Iceland, where the gender gap has been closed by 91.2%.

The Dutch low score (77th place in the economic sub-index) is largely due to women’s participation in the workforce. Most women in the Netherlands still have a part-time job and fewer than 14% of the senior managers are female. 

The Netherlands does top the educational achievement sub-index and leads the ranking when it comes to female ministers in government.