Fact Check: Iran is one of worst country of Gender Equality

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 notably low score of 34.9% in terms of gender parity. This score places Iran among the bottom tier of countries evaluated in the report, which assesses gender equality across 148 economies. The report indicates that the global average gender gap score is 68.8%, highlighting a significant disparity between Iran and the global average (source-2).

Additionally, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) also reflects Iran's struggles with gender equality, ranking it 123rd out of 172 countries with a score of 0.482. This index measures gender inequality based on reproductive health, empowerment, and labor market participation, further underscoring the challenges faced by women in Iran.

Analysis

The evidence presented in the Global Gender Gap Report and the Gender Inequality Index strongly supports the claim that Iran ranks poorly in gender equality. The 34.9% score in the Global Gender Gap Index indicates that only a small fraction of the gender gap has been closed, which is alarming given that the global average is significantly higher. This low score reflects systemic issues in various dimensions, including economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment.

The reliability of these sources is high, as the Global Gender Gap Report is published annually by the World Economic Forum, a reputable organization known for its comprehensive research and analysis on global issues. The GII is also a well-established metric used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which adds to the credibility of the findings (source-3, source-5).

Moreover, the Annual Report 2025 by the Women's National Committee of Iran highlights ongoing struggles for gender equality within the country, detailing barriers to education, professional opportunities, and political representation for women. This qualitative evidence complements the quantitative data from the gender gap indices, providing a fuller picture of the gender equality landscape in Iran.

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 and the Gender Inequality Index, both of which rank Iran at the lower end of the spectrum for gender equality. The systemic barriers faced by women in Iran, as detailed in various reports, further reinforce this conclusion.