EQUALITY: Remember Shania Twain’s female empowerment anthem celebrating independence and having fun without caring about social restraints — “Man! I Feel Like A Woman?”

That female empowerment isn’t as apparent now as the hugely popular song of the 1990s made it out to be. The World Population Review is keeping track with the Global Equality Score, measuring gender inequality around the world.

The United States placed 42nd in the most recent data, which is from 2025. Data is collected and ranked in four categories: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.

What countries rank ahead of the U.S.?

Iceland is in first place, followed by Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom. Also ranking higher than the U.S. are Namibia, Costa Rica, Philippines, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Serbia, Guyana, Rwanda and Colombia.

The score for the U.S., at .756 out of a possible 1, is tied with Netherlands and Burundi.

Iceland retained the top spot for the 14th year in a row.

The organization’s website states, “Gender equality, the concept that everyone should be treated equally regardless of their genetic or chosen gender, is an issue of both human dignity and respect.

“Many experts believe that gender equality across categories including education, employment, health, politics and economic participation is not only a cultural responsibility, but a necessary and crucial part of the healthiest, most optimized economies. 

“Sustainable development goals and other economic targets are often unachievable if half of a country’s population is hampered by restricted opportunities. In order to improve gender equality, many governments are implementing policies that provide talent development, diversify the leadership pool, and provide support to families and caregivers of every gender.”