Daniel Adaji
Belgium has emerged as the best country in the world for women to work and live, thanks to its remarkably low gender wage gap, generous maternity leave, and strong representation of women in leadership.
According to a recent study by Click Intelligence, Belgium leads the 2025 global ranking with a Women’s Well-Being Score of 99, the highest among all evaluated nations.
The research assessed countries based on several economic and social factors, including women’s participation in management, business ownership, wage equality, employment gap, maternity leave, and perceptions of safety. The findings show that Belgian women earn almost the same as men, with a gender wage gap of just 1.19%, the lowest in the world.
Women also hold 36% of managerial positions in Belgium, reflecting strong professional inclusion. Mothers are entitled to 15 months of paid maternity leave, allowing women to balance career and family responsibilities effectively. In addition, only 18.6% of women report feeling unsafe at night, indicating Belgium’s commitment to public safety and overall well-being.
The Click Intelligence report also highlights how other nations are performing in closing gender gaps and improving work-life conditions for women. Slovenia ranks second, with 45% of managerial roles held by women and similarly generous 15-month maternity leave. It also records a modest employment gap of 8.4% between men and women.
In third place, Portugal stands out for having 30.2% female business owners and 40% of women in executive roles, with a gender wage gap of 9.35%—well below the global average. Neighboring Spain follows closely in fourth, boasting 16 months of maternity leave and one of the lowest insecurity perceptions among women at 17.3%.
France rounds out the top five, with women holding 38% of senior positions and benefiting from 16 months of maternity leave, alongside a reduced employment gap of 7.8%.
Further down the list, Sweden ranks sixth, where women occupy 43% of leadership roles and face the smallest employment gap—only 6.3%. Australia leads outside Europe in seventh place, with women holding nearly half of managerial roles and owning about one-third of local businesses.
The United States, in eighth position, stands out for its entrepreneurial opportunities, as women own 35% of businesses, the highest globally. Finland and Estonia complete the top ten, with women holding strong positions in both management and entrepreneurship, and enjoying extended maternity leave provisions. Notably, only 8.5% of women in Estonia report feeling unsafe, the lowest in the study.
While the report celebrates progress, it also reminds that global parity remains elusive. Women make up 47% of the global workforce yet earn, on average, 20% less than men. The study underscores how countries with comprehensive social protections, inclusive workplace policies, and cultural openness to gender equity are driving real change.
Commenting on the findings, James Owen, Co-founder and Director at Click Intelligence, said:
“One trend we’re seeing is how quickly women are moving into new industries. For example, tech and green businesses have become popular choices for female founders because they’re less tied to legacy structures and more open to new ideas. Online tools also make it easier for women to start up with less money and reach customers directly. Another big change is how women are building strong networks and supporting each other, which helps them grow faster and break into areas that were once hard to enter.”
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