The gender gap in Iran remains among the widest in the world, despite significant achievements in women’s education. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2026 ranks Iran 144th out of 145 economies, with an overall gender parity score of just 58.5%.
The findings reveal a striking contrast between women’s educational attainment and their opportunities in employment, earnings, and political leadership.
Education Gains Fail to Translate into Economic Equality
Iran achieved a 98.4% gender parity score in education. According to the World Economic Forum, primary, secondary, and tertiary enrolment have reached or maintained full parity.
However, these achievements have not translated into equal economic opportunities.
Iran ranks last globally for economic participation and opportunity, with a parity score of only 35.1%.
Furthermore, gender parity in labour force participation has fallen considerably over the past two decades, declining from 52% in 2006 to 20.9% in 2026.
The disparity extends to earnings. The estimated earned income parity score has dropped from 28.5% to 16.3% over the same period.
These figures highlight the barriers women continue to face when seeking financial independence, career advancement, and economic security.
Women Remain Underrepresented in Political Leadership
Political empowerment represents another major area of inequality.
Iran ranks 139th globally in this category, having closed only 4.6% of its political gender gap.
Although women’s representation has improved modestly since 2006, disparities remain substantial.
Gender parity scores for parliamentary and ministerial representation stand at just 5.2% and 12%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the report records no years of female national leadership in Iran during the past half-century.
Consequently, women’s access to political decision-making remains severely restricted.
Iran’s results demonstrate that educational achievement alone does not guarantee equality.
Without meaningful improvements in women’s access to employment, economic resources, and political representation, substantial barriers to gender equality will remain.