If you are a woman, you’ve surely wondered, at least once in your lifetime, what the best countries for women are. After all, anything from your reproductive freedoms to your rights in the workplace, and even how safe you can expect to be in the streets directly correlates to the country you live in. So, if you are considering moving internationally to improve your life as a female, here are the destinations to consider.
Many Females Are Looking to Move to One of the Best Countries for Women to Live In – And for a Good Reason
The nation you live in as a female creates a framework of what your life will look like. Whether you’ll be able to participate in the workforce, how big your paycheck will be (or how small in comparison to your male colleagues’), will you be able to get married to a female partner, or even get an abortion are all crucial issues for females.
So, whether you live in Maui, decide to move to Bangkok, or relocate and ship your pets off to Canada will play a significant role in your future, especially given that only one of these places made it to our list. In this article, other than Canada, you’ll be to find out more about women’s lives in:
- New Zealand,
- Finland,
- Norway,
- The Netherlands,
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Sweden.
Is America the Best Country for Women?
Unfortunately, it can’t be said that the US is the best place for a single woman to live in the world. Although it’s not the worst one either, we won’t be surprised by any female’s decision to move across the world in search of a better life. Actually, in comparison to many European nations, especially those in the Northern part of the continent, the United States rated quite poorly.
On account of physical violence against women, the overall consistency of reproductive rights, and the almost institutionalized nature of sexual misconduct, the States are unfortunately unable to rank in the top 10, or even in the top 30 on the charts dealing with gender equality. Actually, on the World Economic Forum’s ranking of 156 places, the United States ranking was only the 30th. While this is not the worst score ever, there is definite room for improvement. And while some have the energy and time to try to make the planet a better place, we completely get all those other people who have more than a few reasons to move and plan on living overseas as soon as possible.
#1 New Zealand Is One of the Most Female Friendly Countries When It Comes to Reproductive Rights In the Workplace
If the fact that Aotearoa, as the Natives call it, is the first government to give girls the right to vote back in 1893 isn’t enough to get you to move to New Zealand, we have a few other facts that might. Starting with: being a woman in the Kiwi workplace isn’t half bad. Since March 2021, women who’ve experienced stillbirths and miscarriages are now granted paid leave. Being a place that provides parental leave to both parties, the partners of said females are granted the same right as well. In addition, a pregnancy here can be terminated up to the 20th week of pregnancy, and abortion access is among the better ones globally.
For Those Wondering Which Country Is the Best for Female Expats, New Zealand Will Always Be the First Answer
If you are wishing to become a part of a female expat community without even having to break the language barrier, you should consider becoming a patriot to the Kiwis. After all, their nation always ranks in one of the top 10 places for expats in the world. Although only a quarter of women who move abroad cite career as the main reason to do so, girls who’ve started their career here are more than glad that they did so. Actually, an astounding percentage of expat women – 78% to be exact, cite the work-life balance they now have as one of the biggest benefits of their move.
#2 Gender Equality In the Workplace in Finland Can’t Be Matched
If you wish to work in Europe as an American, you should consider moving to Finland. Due to its progressive overall gender politics, as well as stellar education, the Finish labor force is among the most equal in the world. Statistics show that the employment rate among males is 72,5%, while for females the rate is just a bit lower. As 70,7% of Finnish girls have a steady income, it would be preposterous that they have a lower paycheck. That’s why it’s not strange that the wage gap in this Scandinavian country stayed under two percent for a decade now.
A Third of All Entrepreneurs In the Finnish Society Are Female
Other than being a place where more than half of women have a university degree, Finland has a high number of female entrepreneurs too. Statistically, a third of people who work as self-employed entrepreneurs are female, which is not a negligible fact, especially in comparison to the rest of the world. So, if you aim to find a job in Europe as an American citizen, start researching the labor market in Finland as soon as possible. While it’s not always easy to start your career here, it is possible. To learn more about the Finnish work culture from a female perspective, check out the following video:
#3 Norway Is Not Only Among the Best Countries for Women’s Rights, But It Has the Smallest Wage Gap in the World As Well
Statistics show that fewer and fewer Norwegian girls consider themselves feminists – and it’s no wonder since, at first sight, it can seem as though full gender equality has already been achieved. If you look at the workplace, you’ll see it has the lowest wage gap globally. Also, there is parental leave for parents of any gender. That might also be why Norway never falls below the first three places when it comes to gender equality. So, if you want to enjoy phenomenal fjords under aurora borealis after your workdays, moving to Norway seems like a good idea.
#4 LGBTQ+ Females Are The Least Marginalized in The Netherlands
Did you know that the Netherlands has LGBTQ+ rights that are among the most progressive globally? The Netherlands legalized same-sex relationships as early as 1811, although non-heteronormative behavior was still classified as a mental illness until 1973. Yet, the Netherlands was the first nation to legalize same-sex marriages in 2001. Although this wasn’t too long ago, these freedoms are felt in the culture. Actually, research shows that females who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community tend to feel much safer in the Netherlands than in most other nations.
Unlike in Other Countries, LGBTQI+ Females Can Report Violence and Hate Crimes to a Special Police Force
Generally, when LGBTQ+ people experience violence, they might be afraid to go to the police to report it. Well, if by any chance as an LGBTQI+ female in the Netherlands you experience any type of hate crime, whether it’s physical or verbal, you may turn to a special police force – the Pink in Blue. This is a task force that is sensitized to the problems of the marginalized community, and many of the people working in it identify as LGBTQI+ themselves. So, if you move to the Netherlands and are an LGBTQI+ person, you can expect more safety and understanding than in any other European country you might live in.
#5 If You’re Wondering Which Is the Safest Country for Females, Canada Might Be the Place to Move To
Another place that excels when it comes to safety is Canada. And if you choose to move to Canada, you won’t even have to worry about learning a new language abroad. A poll conducted by TrustLaw actually ranked Canada as the first in freedom from violence against females. Domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking are actually the lowest right here. Additionally, any victim of such forms of violence, as well as their partners are provided with various types of support while dealing with the aftermath of violent crimes.
You Can Expect Great Work and Career Opportunities as a Girl in Canada
If you are planning on immigrating to Canada, you are going to fit in nicely as a female looking for a job here. Research shows that out of the entire female population older than fifteen, 64,7% are employed. And the numbers keep rising every year. Additionally, the average salary for a woman in Canada is $49,248 annually, or $25,26 as an hourly wage, which is somewhat higher than in the United States. So, if you are planning on getting a cheap place in Canada, don’t expect to stay there for long.
#6 Denmark Ranks as the Ultimate Country to Live in as a Retired Female
Did you know that Denmark is considered the best place to retire in Europe? Actually, women aged 65 and over are considered to be the happiest in the world right here in Denmark. And it’s no wonder, since the strong Danish welfare state provides all its citizens with affordable healthcare, not to mention a great work-life balance during the course of a person’s lifetime. So, after a lifetime of working a pleasant amount of time, Danish mature females can get to enjoying clubs, activities, and active social life even in the later points of their lifetime.
You Don’t Have to Be Retired to Live a Great Life in Denmark
Another reason a person might want to move to Denmark is the fact that the Scandinavian nation is considered to be the best to live in as a woman, no matter the age. This is made much easier by the nation’s parental leave and tax-subsidized daycare, which allows women to both pursue a career and raise a family at the same time. Additionally, a lot of working females are politically active, with around 40% of parliamentary representatives being female. This is nothing strange, given that the world’s first female minister was Nina Bang, who in 1924 became a huge influence in Danish politics. So, no matter if you wanna settle in Copenhagen, or any other place, you’ll be happy in denmark.
#7 Sweden Proves to Be One of the Best Countries for Single Women With Children Moving Overseas
Single moms should consider moving to Sweden, as it proves to be one of the best places to raise a family as a single parent. Although it is a place of long cold winters, there are other things to warm your days on long Swedish nights. Some of them are free healthcare for your kids until they reach the age of 20, paid sick leave, and not to mention 480 days of parental leave. And on top of that, your kids will go to great schools, have access to amazing museums and libraries, as well as a great career in the future.
Swedish Companies Have to Watch Out for the Wage Gap
It’s really difficult to find a nation where genders are completely equal, and while Sweden tops the charts on the matter there is still work to be done. While the wage gap here is lower than in most other places, it still exists. Females have generally lower pay for about 13%. However, the Swedish government won’t let it slide. Since 2008, a law was passed that requires any firm with more than 25 employees to audit the pay gap, and if it proves to be existent, pay a fine.
By Hiring an International Moving Company, You Can Rest Assured You’ll Be Moving Abroad With Ease
If you plan on shipping overseas your car and belongings to one of the best places to live in as a female, consider hiring an overseas shipping company. Moving internationally has never been easier than with the help of an overseas moving company. Professionals can assist you by providing services such as packing services or moving assistance. To find out more about international relocation, we suggest calling up your relocation company and starting your move today.
