Four Nordic countries lead the world in eliminating inequality between men and women

The four Nordic countries — Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden — have topped the Global Gender Gap Index since it was first released in 2006 by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, and Iceland remained in first place for the second straight year. In addition to the four Nordic countries, the top 20 countries include eight other European nations — Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Britain, the Netherlands and Latvia. But France fell to 46th place — a loss of 28 places — because it has fewer women in ministerial posts, the survey said. Many Arab and predominantly Muslim countries remain near the bottom of the list, including Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Yemen.