Global Context and Inequality Metrics

The Global Index and the Reality of the Numbers

To understand the magnitude of the equality challenge we face, it is essential to use objective metrics to assess progress over time.

The World Economic Forum introduced a fundamental tool in 2006: the Gender Gap Index.

This indicator is not based on opinions, but on a consistent metric that assesses parity in four critical dimensions: economic opportunity, educational attainment, health and political empowerment or leadership.

The ultimate goal is to achieve a score of 100%, which would indicate full equality between men and women.

However, the current statistical reality paints a picture of slow progress.

By 2023, the global index stood at 68%, which represents a marginal improvement of just a few tenths of a percentage point over the previous year. Looking at the world map, we find significant disparities.

While nations such as Iceland lead the table with an improvement of over 90%, other Latin American countries such as Mexico and Brazil range between 73% and 77%.

At the other extreme, countries such as Afghanistan present alarming figures where opportunities for women barely exceed 40%.

The conclusion is clear: as of today, there is no country on the planet that has managed to close the gap completely and offer total equality of conditions.

Economic Impact and the Wage Gap

Beyond general statistics, there is one indicator that directly affects the well-being of families and the global economy: the wage gap.

This concept reflects the disparity between the income earned by men and women in the labor market.

Globally, women earn approximately 18% less than their male counterparts; in other words, for every monetary unit earned by a man, a woman earns only 82 cents.

This situation is exacerbated in regions such as Latin America, where the disproportion can be as high as 50 cents for every dollar.

Imagine a young professional woman starting her career today; over a career spanning three decades, this wage gap could translate into a cumulative loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to a male colleague in the same position.

Eliminating this disparity is not only an act of social justice, but a smart economic strategy.

It is estimated that closing the wage gap could significantly increase global GDP and reduce female poverty by half.

However, the misperception persists that this is a "women's problem," when in fact it is a leadership challenge that requires the active participation of men if parity is not to take centuries to achieve.

Summary

The World Economic Forum established the Gender Gap Index to objectively measure parity in critical dimensions such as economics, health and politics. Although the target is 100%, no country has managed to fully close this gap to date.

Global progress is slow, with the index standing at 68% by 2023, with notable geographic disparities where leading nations exceed 90% while others barely reach 40%. This statistical reality demonstrates that progress towards full equality still requires a lot of work.

The wage gap impacts the economy, with women earning 18% less than men globally, generating huge cumulative losses over the course of their careers. Eliminating this disparity is a smart strategy that could increase global GDP and reduce poverty.