World Bank Report Flags Global Gaps in Enforcement of Women’s Economic Rights

Women, Business and the Law 2026 Highlights Legal Equality Shortfalls

The latest Women, Business and the Law report released by the World Bank Group reveals that legislation aimed at ensuring equal economic opportunities for women remains only partially implemented worldwide. The findings indicate substantial “opportunity gaps” that restrict productivity, labour force participation and long-term economic expansion.

On average, countries score 67 out of 100 for laws supporting gender equality on paper. However, the enforcement score drops to 53, while the strength of institutional systems required to operationalise these laws declines further to 47. Merely 4% of women live in economies that provide near-complete legal equality.

Beyond Legislation: The Enforcement Deficit

For the first time, the report evaluates not only statutory provisions but also their real-world implementation. Surveyed legal experts estimate that enforcement of women’s economic rights stands at roughly 50%. Moreover, economies have introduced fewer than half of the policy instruments and services necessary to translate legal guarantees into measurable outcomes.

Even with full enforcement of current laws, women would still possess only about two-thirds of the rights legally available to men.

Safety and Childcare: Critical Weak Links

The study assesses ten domains, including workplace protections, entrepreneurship, asset ownership, retirement security and protection from violence. Laws safeguarding women from violence are significantly inadequate; only one-third of required legal provisions exist globally, and enforcement gaps persist in 80% of jurisdictions.

Childcare infrastructure remains another constraint. Less than half of the 190 economies offer fiscal or financial childcare support. In low-income countries, only 1% of essential childcare policy measures are operational.

Entrepreneurship and Financial Access

While most economies permit women to establish businesses on equal terms, only about half ensure equitable access to credit, limiting entrepreneurial growth potential.

Important Facts for Exams

• Women, Business and the Law report is issued by the World Bank Group.

• Global average legal equality score: 67/100.

• Only 4% of women live under near-full legal equality.

• Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest number of recent reforms.

Although 68 economies enacted 113 reforms in the past two years—led by Sub-Saharan Africa—the report underscores that bridging enforcement gaps is essential for unlocking inclusive and sustainable economic growth.