Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Denmark Tops Global Women’s Peace and Security Index
A report ranked 181 countries on how well women are included, treated fairly, and kept safe.
Denmark received the highest score.
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland also ranked near the top.
Most of the highest-scoring countries were in Europe.
Canada scored lower than Denmark, and the United States ranked 31st.
Afghanistan received the lowest score.
The report said only 7% of Afghan women have jobs, compared with 84% of Afghan men.
It also warned that worldwide progress for women has stopped improving quickly.
Denmark ranked first among 181 countries with a WPS Index score of 0.94.
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland completed the Nordic-dominated top five.
Europe accounted for 25 of the 35 highest-scoring countries.
Canada ranked 0.89, while the United States placed 31st with 0.84.
Afghanistan ranked last, with conflict-affected countries dominating the bottom of the index.
- Who
- The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security assessed 181 countries.
- What
- The latest Women, Peace and Security Index ranked countries on women’s inclusion, justice, and security.
- When
- The article refers to the latest WPS Index but does not specify its release date.
- Where
- Denmark ranked first, while Afghanistan ranked last; Europe dominated the highest rankings.
- Why
- The index measures women’s status using 13 indicators covering inclusion, justice, and security.
- Top-ranked country
- Denmark
- Denmark’s score
- 0.94 out of 1.0
- Countries assessed
- 181
- Indicators used
- 13 indicators
- Canada’s ranking
- Score of 0.89
- United States ranking
- 31st, with a score of 0.84
- Lowest-ranked country
- Afghanistan, with a score of 0.28