Denmark is ranked first in the world as the best country for women with a score of 0.939, followed by Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, according to the latest WPS Index. The top five spots are occupied by Nordic countries. Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and New Zealand made it to the top ten of the best countries for women.
The 2025/26 Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index ranks 181 countries based on 13 indicators, including justice and security.
| Rank | Country | WPS Index Score |
| 1 | Denmark | 0.939 |
| 2 | Iceland | 0.932 |
| 3 | Norway | 0.924 |
| 3 | Sweden | 0.924 |
| 5 | Finland | 0.921 |
| 6 | Luxembourg | 0.918 |
| 7 | Belgium | 0.912 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 0.905 |
| 9 | Austria | 0.898 |
| 9 | New Zealand | 0.898 |
Why Nordic Countries Are Leading
The Nordic countries occupy all five top spots due to their consistently successful performance across the WPS Index’s three dimensions: inclusion, justice and security.
Women in these countries generally enjoy relatively better access to higher education, workforce participation, financial inclusion, legal protection, and political representation. They also benefit from relatively lower rates of violence. Strong government institutions and extensive social protection systems have also played a key role in achieving gender equality across the lifespan.
Outside of Europe, Australia and New Zealand maintain strong positions with scores of 0.898 each, demonstrating significant progress on the global stage in women’s rights and well-being.
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