Women’s equality in the United States remains a pressing issue, with significant disparities across different states. In 2023, the U.S. fell significantly in the World Economic Forum’s gender equality ranking, placing 43rd out of 146 countries, down from 27th the previous year. This means the U.S. failed to make the top 30, let alone the top 10.
Here’s a list of the 6 worst states for women’s equality:
Utah
Women in Utah earn about 75 cents for every dollar men earn, reflecting a substantial pay gap. Only 18.33% of businesses in the state are women-owned, compared to 60.72% that are men-owned, resulting in a 42.39% disparity. Moreover, political representation for women in Utah is low, with women making up only 32.8% of the Utah State Legislature. According to the Utah Women and Leadership Project, Utah ranks 39th in 2024 for women serving in the state legislature, down from 32nd in 2020.
Texas
Texas ranks as one of the worst states for women financially, placing 48th out of 50 with an overall score of 13.49 out of 100, according to a new Forbes study. Women in Texas earn about 75 cents for every dollar men earn, highlighting a persistent pay gap. The state has significantly fewer women-owned businesses (21.48%) than men-owned businesses (59.81%), with a 38.33% gender disparity. Despite Texas’s reputation as a business-friendly state, women face more difficulty accessing loans and financing to sustain their businesses, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Idaho
In Idaho, women aged 16 and older working full-time year-round have median annual earnings of $34,000, which is 75.6 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Idaho ranks 50th in the nation for both women’s Employment & Earnings and Poverty & Opportunity. At the current pace, women in Idaho won’t achieve equal pay until 2083. Furthermore, the state ranks 48th out of 50 for reproductive rights, indicating highly restrictive laws that limit women’s autonomy and access to essential healthcare services.
Georgia
Georgian women earn a third less than men. A recent Time Use Survey highlights that women in Georgia spend five times more hours on unpaid domestic and care work compared to men. Despite the introduction of electoral quotas to boost women’s political involvement, their participation remains low, with women holding only 19 percent of parliamentary seats and 24 percent of positions in local administrations as of 2022. Nearly 60 percent of Georgian women are not part of the formal labor market, a situation that could cost the country over 11 percent of its current GDP per capita.
Missouri
Missouri ranks poorly across numerous dimensions affecting women’s equality. According to a national study by the Violence Policy Center, Missouri ranks second in the nation for the number of women murdered by men. The state also has one of the highest rates of gun violence, with 23.2 gun deaths per capita in 2021. Women in Missouri aged 16 and older who work full-time year-round have median annual earnings of $36,000, which is 80 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Additionally, Missouri has restrictive reproductive health laws, impacting women’s access to necessary healthcare services.
North Dakota
North Dakota is significantly lacking in women’s equality. Women in North Dakota earn about 79 cents for every dollar men earn, indicating a persistent pay gap. It ranks 37th in workplace environment, 42nd in education and health, and 44th in political empowerment among all U.S. states. The state has an abortion ban with exceptions for rape or incest only within the first six weeks of pregnancy. They have a preemption for paid family leave, meaning the state has neither established a statewide family leave program nor allows local governments to create their own paid family leave programs.
Now, below is the list of the 6 best states for women’s equality:
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the leading states for women’s equality. Hawaii is one of the top states for women’s equality. It ranks 6th in workplace environment, 7th in education and health, and 2nd in political empowerment among all U.S. states for women. Political representation is strong, with women holding 33% of the seats in the state legislature.
Alaska
Alaska stands out for its significant achievements in women’s equality, particularly in economic participation. Alaska ranks 15th in workplace environment, 10th in education and health, and 4th in political empowerment among all U.S. states for women. Alaska ranks as the 7th best state for women’s inclusion, reflecting its strong commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. This high ranking is attributed to various factors, including robust political representation, with women holding a significant proportion of legislative seats. Despite its remote location, Alaska provides robust healthcare services, contributing to better health outcomes for women.
Maine
Maine is a strong performer in women’s equality, ranking highly across several key metrics. Women in Maine earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar men earn, reflecting a relatively narrow pay gap compared to the national average. The state ranks 8th in the nation for workplace environment, providing supportive policies for working women, including generous family leave and child care options. In terms of education and health, Maine ranks 30th, with high rates of women attaining higher education degrees and excellent access to healthcare services. It ranks no. 1 in political empowerment among all U.S. states.
Delaware
According to America’s Health Rankings’ 2023 Health of Women and Children Report, Delaware is ranked first in the nation for hospital maternity practices. It ranks 9th in workplace environment, 3rd in education and health, and 19th in political empowerment among all U.S. states for women. Delaware also ranks second overall for family planning and care. Notably, the state achieved the highest score for access to paid family leave and has the second-lowest maternal mortality rate in the country.
Vermont
Vermont is notable for its strong stance on women’s equality. Women in Vermont earn 84 cents for every dollar men earn, reflecting a relatively small pay gap. According to a recent study, Vermont is among the top states in the nation for working mothers. Vermont is ranked as the sixth-safest state for women. WalletHub’s findings indicate that Vermont has the third-lowest uninsured rate for women and the fourth-lowest female homicide rate in the country.
California
It ranks 2nd in workplace environment, 34th in education and health, 8th in the share of women-owned businesses, 2nd in women’s life expectancy at birth, 11th in the quality of women’s hospitals, and 6th in political empowerment among all U.S. states for women. The state also offers robust family leave policies and support for working mothers, making it easier for women to balance professional and personal responsibilities. These factors contribute to California’s high ranking in terms of women’s equality.