With a remaining gender gap of 28%, on average, North America is one of the regions that has made the most progress towards gender parity overall. However, while both countries in the region have closed more than 70% of their overall gender gap, their paths have diverged markedly since 2015, when the two countries were practically tied in their performance on closing the gender gap.

Canada (16) climbs 19 ranks this year, taking the top spot in the region and breaking into the global top 20 on the overall Index as well as on the Political Empowerment subindex. It records improvements on gender parity in ministerial positions, in particular, but also progress on the wage equality for similar work indicator. Its gender gap in Educational Attainment remains fully closed since 2013, although its Health and Survival gender gap remains open. It has closed nearly 77% of its overall gender gap, an increase of 3% since 2015.

The United States (49) moves down four spots compared to last year. It records some improvement on the Economic Opportunity and Participation subindex—in particular due to a smaller gender gap on the wage equality for similar work indicator—but experiences a decline on the Political Empowerment subindex, which stands at its lowest level since 2007, due, in particular, to a significant decrease in gender parity in ministerial level positions. More positively, the United States has fully closed its gender gap in Educational Attainment for a number of years, highlighting the substantial potential of the country’s next-generation female workforce. The United States has closed nearly 72% of its overall gender gap, a decrease of 2% since 2015.