Epress.am News from Armenia
The Women’s Economic Opportunity (WEO) Index, created by the Economist Intelligence Unit, aims to measure progress in the economic advancement of women. It draws on data from a wide range of international organizations, including the UN, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and many others. The 2012 report assessed the enabling environment for women’s economic participation in 128 countries.
The result? At the top of the list is Switzerland with a score of 90.4 (out of a possible 100). Ranking highest among former Soviet countries (not including the Baltic states) is Ukraine at 57th place (and a score of 55.4), followed by Georgia, Moldova and Kazakhstan ranking at 59th through 61st (all with a score of 54.5). Belarus is at 62nd place with a score of 53.8.
Armenia is ranked at 64th place (with a score of 53.3), followed by Turkey at 65th place; Russia, 66; Azerbaijan, 90; Kyrgyz Republic, 94; Tajikistan, 100; Iran, 117; and Turkmenistan, 118.
The WEO ranking list concludes with Sudan at 128th place and a score of 19.2.
In terms of income, the countries have been divided into 4 groups, based on World Bank figures: those earning $11,909 or more; those earning $3,856–$11,905; those earning $976–$3,855; and those earning less $975 or less.
In this category, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are only represented in the second group with Kazakhstan in 22nd place, Belarus, 23; and Russia, 66. Women earn at least $3,856 annually in this group. Turkey is also in this list at 25th place.
In the third group (those earning $976–$3,855) are Ukraine (4th place), Georgia (5), Moldova (6), Armenia (7), Azerbaijan (21), Uzbekistan (24), Iran (33) and Turkmenistan (34).
Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are in the 4th (lowest) category, in 4th and 7th places, respectively.
This list concludes with Chad.