Taiwan's gender empowerment measures rate high

Taiwan's empowerment measure (GEM) is placed 21st in the world and first in Asia while its gender development index (GDI) ranks 23rd worldwide, ahead of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and China, according to a report released by the Executive Yuan yesterday.

The report by the Cabinet's Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, citing figures from the UN Development Program, showed that Taiwan's GEM is 0.651. Singapore came in 27th, Japan was ranked 45th and South Korea 64th in the world on this scale.

Iceland among the 176 countries surveyed, with a GEM of 0.847. It is followed by Norway on 0.837 and Sweden on 0.831. The US placed 10th with a GEM of 0.76. The GEM of the UK is 0.675, placing it 17th globally.

indicators

The GEM is based on four major indicators using data for 2001: Seats in parliament held by women; female legislators, senior officials and managers; female professional and technical workers; and ratio of the estimated female income earned as opposed to that of males.

Taiwan's in parliament held by women were 22.2 percent, 31st in the world and first in Asia, while that of China was 21.8 percent, or 33rd globally.

Sweden first in this category, with 45.3 percent of seats in parliament held by women. It is followed by Denmark with 38 percent and Finland with 36.5 percent.

female legislators

Taiwan's female legislators, senior officials and managers counted 15 percent of the total, placing the nation 63rd in the world. South Korea was 73rd with 5 percent. Japan has a 9 percent female legislators, senior officials and managers rate, or 68th highest in the world. Singapore's corresponding figure was 24 percent, or 52nd in the world.

Taiwan's of estimated female versus male income earned is 55 percent, or 31st in the world. Japan's ratio is the world's 49th highest, at 45 percent. South Korea's rate is 46 percent, or 47th in the world. Singapore's rate is 50 percent, placing it 40th in the world.

Taiwan's GDI is 0.893, the world's 23rd highest score. Hong Kong was placed 27th, Singapore ranked in 29th place and South Korea 31st.

Norway among the 176 countries surveyed, with a GDI of 0.941. It is followed by Iceland and Sweden at 0.940 and Australia at 0.938. The US placed 5th, with a GDI of 0.935. The GDI of the UK is 0.928, placing it 11th in the world.

The GDI is based on four major indicators using data for 2001: Life expectancy at birth; the adult literacy rate; combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrollment rate; and GDP per capita.