Slow development of gender equality in the EU

"We now see that gender equality is developing very slowly. It is difficult to say why, but to some extent it is due to the fact that the development of gender equality is bringing EU countries closer together. This also points to the fact that the work must be long-term for the development to continue. And that is something we stress in our follow-ups of the Swedish gender equality goals", says Peter Vikström, Director of Department of Policy Analysis and Monitoring at the Swedish Gender Equality Agency.

Effects of the covid-19 pandemic

The Gender Equality Index 2022 focuses primarily on data from the pandemic year 2020 and shows strong signals of uncertainty and turmoil.

"Our results show that specific groups of people, who tend to be in more vulnerable situations during times of crises, are most at risk, where stark gendered gendered inequalities compound the issue. We cannot afford to lose our sight on gender equality, says Carlien Scheele", Director of EIGE.

Unique throwback

For the first time since 2010, the gender equality index has recorded decreases in gender equality in several core areas. The index shows that women's participation in working life has decreased, which indicates that women work fewer years. This in turn will have a negative impact on career development and future pension.

In addition, fewer women than men participated in formal or informal education in 2020. Covid-19 created unprecedented pressure on the health care sector and the reduced gender equality affected women's health status as well as their access to health care.

Young women were also at a higher risk of unemployment as a consequence of the economic effects of the pandemic. Women with a migrant background were at an even higher risk of unemployment.

No change since 2019

The Gender Equality Index is a tool that monitors progress in gender equality in the EU over time. It measures gaps between women and men in six main areas – work, money, knowledge, time, power and health. The index uses a scale from 1 to 100, where 1 stands for complete lack of gender equality and 100 for complete gender equality. Sweden's figure is 83.9 points. The EU average is 68.6 points, which is only 5.5 points higher than in 2010.

"Since 2010, Sweden's results have increased by 3.8 points, mainly as a result of improvements in the areas of influence and time. The biggest change has taken place in the area of ​​economic empowerment. Since 2019, Sweden's results have not changed, but Sweden has nevertheless maintained its leading position in gender equality in the EU for over a decade", says Peter Vikström.

EIGE news article: Gender Equality under Threat, Specific Groups Hardest Hit

EIGE Gender Equality Index 2022