Bangladesh slips 55 places in gender equality index

Bangladesh has slipped 55 places in gender equality between men and women in the World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Gender Gap Report 2026’. The country is in the 79th position among 145 countries. However, even after this big fall Bangladesh has retained the top position in gender equality in South Asia for the 12th consecutive year.

In the 2025 index Bangladesh had advanced 75 places to rise to the 24th position. This time the overall gender equality rate has fallen to 71.2 percent, which was 77.5 percent last year. The report said a fall of 21.2 percentage points in the political empowerment index is the main reason for the overall position of Bangladesh slipping behind.

Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue Dr Fahmida Khatun said the active participation of women in politics has decreased compared to previous years. The position of Bangladesh in political empowerment has weakened due to the decrease in directly elected women members of parliament and women representation in the cabinet.

Economic participation and opportunity is still the weakest area of Bangladesh. The equality rate in this sector has fallen to 41.9 percent. On the other hand there is 96.1 percent equality in educational attainment and 96 percent equality in health and survival.

After Bangladesh in South Asia are Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and India. Pakistan is the most behind in this region. Iceland has remained at the top of the global index for the 17th consecutive year. Finland and Norway are in the second and third positions respectively.