Gender equality in the Nordic Region
Pay
The gender pay gap has generally narrowed over the past decade, but women still earn less than men. Unequal pay is a key indicator that reveals inequalities between women and men in other areas. Gender stereotypes in education, the labour market and the home contribute to economic inequality. Sweden has the smallest gender pay gap.
Pay gap between men and women: % difference 2020
Equality in business
The proportion of women on company boards is higher in the Nordic Region than in the EU as a whole but women are still underrepresented. Legislation in the Nordic countries varies, as some apply gender quotas to company boards. Iceland and Norway lead the way, and have almost reached gender balance on boards. Nonetheless, female CEOs are still a rarity in all of the Nordic countries.
Gender distribution on the boards of major companies
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Parental leave
The proportion of parental leave taken by fathers (paternity leave) has grown steadily in the Nordic Region over the last 20 years. Both parents are entitled to generous paid leave, and political efforts have been made to ensure that it is shared more equally. Certain weeks are earmarked for each parent. Nordic fathers now take more leave than fathers anywhere else in the world.
Father’s share of parental leave: 2019
More facts about gender equality
The Nordic Statistics database includes data for the Nordic equality indicators.
The Nordic gender equality indicators describe the progress made in the Nordic Region, as well as the challenges that remain in areas such as demography, family, health, education, the labour market, income, power and influence.
Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) publishes analyses and information about gender equality in the Nordic Region. NIKK is a Nordic Council of Ministers’ institution that collates and disseminates knowledge about policy and practice, facts and research on gender and LGBTI equality from a Nordic perspective.
State of the Nordic Region contains analyses, data and statistics on gender equality in the Nordic countries presented from a regional angle.