Denmark has been recognized as the world's leading country for women, according to the latest Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index for 2025/26. The report highlights Nordic nations' continued dominance in global rankings for women’s safety, inclusion, and access to justice.
Published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and featured by Visual Capitalist, the WPS Index evaluates 181 countries. Its methodology is based on 13 indicators across three crucial areas: women’s inclusion, justice, and security.
Nordic Nations Lead the Way
Northern Europe remains at the forefront, with all five Nordic countries securing positions within the top five globally. This consistent performance is attributed to their robust public institutions, comprehensive social welfare systems, and notably lower levels of violence against women.
The top 15 countries in the WPS Index are:
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Austria
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Estonia
- Ireland
- Slovenia
- Lithuania
Factors Driving Success
Nordic nations consistently excel due to their significant advancements in education, workforce participation, financial inclusion, strong legal protections, and high levels of political representation for women. These factors collectively contribute to an environment where women can thrive.
Despite these achievements, the report notes that no country achieved a perfect score of 1.0, underscoring that challenges related to gender equality and women’s wellbeing persist worldwide. Outside of Europe, Australia and New Zealand continue to be strong performers, while Costa Rica and Uruguay have notably entered the top global quintile, reflecting improvements in women’s rights and social conditions.
Challenges in Conflict-Affected Regions
Conversely, countries grappling with prolonged conflict, instability, and humanitarian crises occupy the bottom ranks of the index. These severe conditions directly undermine women’s safety, access to justice, and economic opportunities.
The lowest-ranked countries include Afghanistan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Syria, Sudan, Haiti, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Afghanistan ranks last, with a score less than one-third of Denmark’s.
The report highlights that over 70% of women residing in the 12 lowest-ranked countries live within 50 kilometers of armed conflict, significantly increasing their risk of displacement, violence, and limited access to essential services. This stark contrast underscores the profound link between a nation's overall stability and the wellbeing of its women.