The rankings are based on how well countries divide their resources and opportunities among their male and female populations, based on economic participation, education, health and political empowerment.
The report ranks Norway highest in female economic participation when it comes to professional and technical workers, enrolment in secondary and tertiary education, sex ratio at birth and the number of females in ministerial positions (51%). Norway lost the previous number one position partly because of a slip in the percentage of women among legislator, senior official and managerial positions from 34% to 32%.
More than two-thirds of the 115 countries covered in the report have posted gains in the overall index scores, indicating a general progress towards better equality between men and women. At the same time, there are a few countries which are moving in the negative direction.
The Philippines and Sri Lanka remain the leading Asian countries in the ranking, distinctive for being the only Asian countries among the top 20 for the fourth year in a row, ranked respectively as number 9 and 16. Singapore is slightly improving its index score towards more equality, taking the 85th position.
For more information on the Global Gender Gap index see the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report 2009.