Israel Climbs Global Gender Gap Index, But Gaps Remain
Israel has improved its standing in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index, moving up to 71st place in the 2026 report. This represents a significant climb from 91st place in 2024 and 76th place in 2025, though it still lags behind its 2022 ranking of 60th. The index measures the gap between men and women across four key areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
While Israel's overall score has improved, the underlying data reveals a stark contrast between progress in education and the persistent disparities in economic and political power for women. The country has nearly closed the gender gap in education, with women achieving parity or exceeding men in higher education enrollment. This suggests that the issue is not a lack of skills or education, but rather a barrier women face in translating these qualifications into economic influence and political authority.
In terms of economic participation and opportunity, Israel ranked highest in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2025, with women forming a majority in professional and technical roles. However, the index highlights that women are underrepresented in high-paying positions and leadership roles, contributing to a significant economic gender gap.
The most pronounced disparity is in political empowerment, where Israel ranked 104th globally in 2025. Women constituted only about 24% of Knesset members and approximately 16% of government ministers, indicating a substantial underrepresentation in decision-making bodies.
According to Ayelet Razin Beit-Or, a specialist in gender equality, the progress in education and professional fields for women is not being matched by advancements in accessing economic power and political influence. This pattern mirrors global trends, where the gender gap in education and health has largely been addressed, while economic and political gaps persist. The article suggests that the crucial challenge for Israel, and globally, lies in understanding and dismantling the barriers that prevent women from reaching positions of power and influence after acquiring their education and skills.
