Mauritius has made notable progress in the global gender equality rankings, moving up 9 places from 111th to 102nd in just one year. This improvement is largely attributed to advancements in socio-economic factors. However, a stark contrast remains, with the country performing exceptionally well in education and health, but struggling with political participation. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2026, Mauritius still has significant ground to cover in this area.
The Global Gender Gap Report 2026, published by the World Economic Forum, highlights that the world is closer than ever to achieving parity between men and women. The report measures the gap between men and women across 145 economies, analyzing trends over the long term. The data reveals that 69.2% of the gap between men and women has been closed, representing a 0.4% increase from the previous year. This progress is a positive step towards achieving complete parity.
The report also notes that among the 97 economies tracked since 2006, the gap has narrowed by 5.2 percentage points, reaching 69.4%. This is the highest level ever recorded. However, progress remains fragile, and some gains are beginning to reverse. The areas of economic participation and opportunities, as well as political empowerment, continue to lag behind. Women currently hold only 19.1% of CEO positions, and only one in ten ministerial portfolios with significant influence is held by a woman.
The World Economic Forum's report emphasizes that at the current rate of progress, it will take another 120 years to achieve complete parity across all indicators. Furthermore, women are underrepresented in key sectors, making up less than one-fifth of engineers in artificial intelligence. The report highlights the need for sustained efforts to address these disparities and promote greater equality.
The Global Gender Gap Report has been published annually since 2006, measuring parity between men and women across four dimensions: economic participation and opportunities, education, health and survival, and political empowerment. The 2026 edition covers 145 economies and analyzes long-term trends based on a constant sample of 97 economies present in each edition since 2006.
Mauritius's improvement in the rankings is a positive development, but the country's performance in political participation remains a concern. The report's findings highlight the need for Mauritius to focus on addressing this disparity and promoting greater equality in all areas. By doing so, the country can continue to make progress towards achieving complete parity.
The World Economic Forum's report serves as a reminder that achieving complete parity will require sustained efforts and commitment from governments, businesses, and individuals. By working together, it is possible to create a more equitable society where men and women have equal opportunities and are represented equally in all areas of life.
Key points
- Mauritius climbs 9 places in global gender equality rankings, but lags behind in political participation
- The world is closer than ever to achieving parity between men and women, with 69.2% of the gap closed
- At the current rate of progress, it will take another 120 years to achieve complete parity across all indicators
