Australia has ranked 8th in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, breaking into to the top ten and achieving its highest ever ranking for gender equality, out of 148 countries.
This result reflects the Albanese Government’s sustained action to improve the lives of women and girls, including lifting wages in female-dominated industries, expanding Paid Parental Leave to six months with superannuation, and making significant investments in women’s health.
It also reflects the progress made on women’s representation in government, with women making up the majority of Cabinet for the first time and more women serving across the Parliament.
Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has jumped 35 places in the global rankings, from 43rd to 8th.
The Index shows that progress in Australia is translating to the global stage, with the Index assessing key measures of gender equality, including political representation, economic participation, educational attainment and health.
The report is available here:Global Gender Gap Report 2026
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“My Government is committed to creating a fairer, safer and more equal society for Australian women and girls.
“Our efforts are bearing fruit, with Australia now sitting in the top ten countries for gender equality worldwide. When we first came to Government we were ranked 43rd – and slipped to an all-time low of 50th under the previous Coalition government.
“The job is not done and we will continue to focus our efforts on lifting wages, ending gender-based violence, increasing female representation in workplaces, investing in women’s health and more.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher:
“We came to the 2022 election with a commitment to make Australia one of the best countries in the world for women. Today we are in the top ten, not by accident, and not by wishful thinking but because of deliberate commitment and action from the Albanese Government.
“From closing the gender pay gap and lifting wages in female-dominated industries to expanding Paid Parental Leave and investing in women’s health, we are delivering practical changes that make a difference in women’s lives.
“We know there is more work to do across our priorities of ending violence against women, valuing care, improving women’s economic empowerment, improving women’s health outcomes and strengthening women’s leadership and representation – this is just one measure that shows Australia is moving in the right direction but we also remain absolutely steadfast in our commitment to improve the lives of women and girls around Australia.”
