03 November 2017

The UK has been ranked 53rd in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report of 144 countries when it comes to economic participation and opportunity.

In particular, the report showed that women were more likely to be in part-time employment, did a higher proportion of their work for no pay, and were less likely than other developed countries to receive equal pay for similar work (ranked 53rd in this dimension).

Speaking to the Independent, Sam Smethers, CEO of the Fawcett Society, said: "The monthly earnings gap in the UK is so wide because our economy is heavily dependent on low paid, part-time work. Jobs which are still dominated by women."

"We need better quality part-time jobs. All jobs should be flexible by default unless there is a good business reason for them not to be," she added.

Overall, the UK climbed five places since last year to be ranked 15th when all dimensions (also including health, educational attainment and political empowerment) were taken into account.

However, it still lags behind the top ten nations, which were: Iceland, Norway, Finland, Rwanda, Sweden, Nicaragua, Slovenia, Ireland, New Zealand and the Philippines.