The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the Global Gender Gap Report 2024. Japan ranks 118th out of 146countries, improving from last year’s 125th position, yet remains the lowest among G7 countries. The report analyzes the degree of gender equality in the areas of education, health, politics, and economy. Global progress stands at 68.5%, an improvement of 0.1 points from the previous year, with stagnation particularly noted in the political sphere. According to the WEF, it will take 134 years at the current pace to achieve full gender equality.

Japan’s progress is at 66.3%, an increase of 1.6 points from the previous year, but it is still the worst among G7 countries, below Italy (87th place). Since the report began in 2006, Japan’s rank has declined, and progress has stagnated, indicating that Japan is falling behind other countries in terms of gender equality.

The lack of progress in eliminating gender disparities in the economic and political sectors is cited as a key reason. Progress in the economic sector, reflecting the low number of women in leadership positions, is at 56.8%. In the political sector, progress is at 11.8%. Although five female ministers were appointed in last autumn’s cabinet reshuffle, the proportion of women in the House of Representatives remains at about 10%, reflecting the slow political participation of women.

The country with the highest gender equality worldwide is Iceland, with progress at 93.5%. Finland (87.5%) and Norway (87.5%) follow in second and third place, with the Nordic countries occupying the top positions. South Korea ranks 94th (69.6%) and China ranks 106th (68.4%), both surpassing Japan. The African country Sudan ranks last.