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Staff reporter
Despite women's increasing participation in economic activities in South Korea, they still lag far behind advanced countries in economic opportunity due to discrimination at workplaces, the latest study showed Friday.
In its July report, The U.K.-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) announced that Korea ranked 35th in its Women's Economic Opportunity Index with a score of 66.2 points out of 100, among 113 surveyed countries.
The index score is based on the assessment of each country's laws, regulations, practices and attitudes that affect women workers and entrepreneurs. The index was designed to evaluate every aspect of the economic and social value chain for women, from fertility to retirement.
In particular, Korea was rock bottom in terms of discrimination in the workplace, with its standing at 104th with 38.3 points. In women's legal and social status, Korea came in 66th, while ranking 53rd and 25th in the labor policy and practice categories, respectively.
European countries dominated the list with Sweden, Belgium and Norway sweeping the top three spots, followed by Finland and Germany.
Korean women were seen as having less economic opportunities than Eastern European nations ― Slovenia placed 21st, the Czech Republic (22nd), Lithuania (25th) and Estonia (27th).
Among countries whose per capita national income is over $12,000, Korea managed to place 31st out of 38, but compared to other Asian nations, it ranked fourth behind Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
"Countries have made good progress in leveling the playing field for women over the last few decades, but too many women still cannot exercise their full economic rights," Leila Butt, a senior economist for the EIU and research manager for the project, said in a press release.
The EIU said that inequality in labor opportunities and outcomes can occur because a disproportionate share of unpaid work falls on women, and social protection schemes, such as the provision of maternity leave and benefits, helps mitigate this problem.
The EIU is a global research and advisory firm run by The Economist, a British economic weekly.
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