Fact Check: "Iran is one of the worst countries for Gender Equality"
What We Know
The claim that "Iran is one of the worst countries for gender equality" is supported by the findings of the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, which ranks Iran at a low score of 34.9% in terms of gender parity, placing it among the bottom countries globally (Global Gender Gap Report 2025). The report evaluates gender equality across four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
In the 2025 edition, the global average gender gap score across 148 economies was 68.8% closed, indicating significant disparities still exist worldwide (Global Gender Gap Report 2025). Iran's low score reflects its substantial gender gap, particularly in areas such as Political Empowerment, where women face significant barriers to leadership and representation (Global Gender Gap Report 2025).
Analysis
The Global Gender Gap Index is widely regarded as a credible source for assessing gender equality, having been published annually since 2006. It provides a comprehensive analysis of gender disparities and tracks progress over time. The report's methodology, which includes a broad range of countries and metrics, enhances its reliability (Global Gender Gap Report 2025).
Iran's score of 34.9% indicates that it has only closed a small fraction of its gender gap, which is corroborated by other sources. For instance, the World Population Review also highlights Iran's low ranking in gender equality, further supporting the claim (Gender Equality by Country 2025). Additionally, the Annual Report 2025: A Year of Resistance for Women in Iran discusses the systemic barriers women face in accessing education, employment, and political representation, reinforcing the notion that Iran is struggling significantly with gender equality (Annual Report 2025).
While some may argue that Iran has made progress in certain areas, such as educational attainment, the overall context of gender inequality remains severe. The Gender Inequality Index also reflects Iran's challenges, ranking it 123 out of 172 countries (Iran among UNDP's High Human Development countries). This multifaceted perspective from various credible sources confirms the claim's validity.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Iran is one of the worst countries for gender equality" is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, which ranks Iran very low in gender parity. The evidence indicates that women in Iran face significant barriers across various dimensions of gender equality, making this claim accurate.
