In the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Countries for Women rankings, India is placed 76th out of the listed nations.

In the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Countries for Women rankings, India is placed 76th out of the listed nations.

That low position is based on global perceptions from nearly 9,000 women surveyed, focusing on:

Gender equality (opportunities in work, politics, education)

Income equality

Progressiveness (laws, social attitudes)

Safety (physical and societal security)

Human rights care (policies and implementation)

The main reasons India ranks low in this perception-based list are:

1. Safety concerns – Persistent global media coverage of crimes against women, especially sexual violence, shapes international opinion heavily.

2. Gender gap in participation – Despite progress, women’s workforce participation and political representation remain significantly below global leaders.

3. Income inequality – Pay gaps, fewer leadership roles, and concentration in informal/unpaid work affect perceived equality.

4. Social barriers – Early marriage, restrictions on mobility, and patriarchal attitudes in many regions influence how outsiders view gender freedom.

5. Implementation gaps – Even where strong legal frameworks exist (e.g., for education, workplace rights), enforcement and cultural acceptance can lag.

It’s important to note that this ranking is perception-driven, so it reflects how women around the world view India rather than purely statistical metrics. On more data-focused indexes like the WPS Index, India still ranks mid-to-low but sometimes fares slightly better because actual indicators are considered alongside perception.

If you want, I can prepare you a side-by-side breakdown showing how India’s actual performance in education, health, political participation, and safety compares to the top 10 countries for women. That would make it clear where the real gaps lie and what’s perception bias versus data reality.