The American website "CEO World" released a report on the best countries in the world for women to live in for the year 2020, in which Saudi Arabia ranked first among Arab countries and 89th globally. The magazine published its annual ranking based on a survey of approximately 256,700 women from 156 countries, using various regional, ethnic, social, and economic criteria that play a crucial role in determining the best places for women worldwide.
According to the report, Sweden topped the global list, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Canada. On the Arab level, Saudi Arabia (89th globally) led the list of participating Arab countries in the study, followed by Oman (91st globally), Jordan (96th globally), the UAE (100th globally), and then Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Libya.
The study highlighted that no country in the world is 100% safe for women to enjoy freedom and equality with men, but some countries are better than others regarding equality of rights, social integration, and feelings of safety.
Regarding Saudi Arabia's selection as the best country for women to live in among Arab nations, analysts attribute this to the new social approach and reform steps initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance Saudi women's rights. These measures have opened up greater space for Saudi women in society and eased the strict legal, social, and religious constraints imposed on them, according to analysts.
Among the main evaluation and classification criteria within the best countries for women to live in are gender equality, the percentage of legislative seats occupied by women, feelings of safety, income equality, attention to human rights, as well as women's empowerment, average years of education among women, and women's integration into society.
