## Gender Equality in Iceland – IMF Finance & Development Magazine | March 2019 ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [Gender Equality in Iceland – IMF Finance & Development Magazine | March 2019](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2019/03/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2019/03/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir/index.md) - [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2019/03/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir/index.json) - [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2019/03/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir/bundle-manifest.json) ## Bibliographic details - Authors: Katrin Jakobsdottir - Published: March 1, 2019 --- ### Context and framing - Policymakers are shifting focus from raw GDP-driven measurements toward well-being criteria when judging economic success. - Iceland has made gender equality a core part of its domestic and foreign policies, linking progressive social justice policies to economic performance. - The campaign for women’s equality in Iceland has combined legislative changes (sexual and reproductive freedoms), robust equality laws, and gender quotas for corporate boards with social-policy interventions. ### Family-friendly policies implemented - Universal childcare and shared parental leave are central policy instruments. - Icelandic parental leave model (funded by government and businesses): - Three months of leave to each parent. - An additional three months that can be divided between the parents however they choose. - The model has been implemented in stages since 2000. - Publicly funded, high-quality day care now starts at the age of two, with gaps largely covered by subsidized childminders. - Nordic shared parental leave schemes include a "use-it-or-lose-it" portion for both parents (including same-sex couples and adoptive parents). - The government intends to extend the current entitlement further and to close gaps between parental leave and public day care provision. ### Economic and social impacts observed - The combination of universal childcare and shared parental leave has: - Transformed Icelandic society and boosted the economy. - Shifted norms so families consider parental duties and care the equal responsibility of both parents. - Enabled fathers to form better relationships with their children. - Undermined the argument that women cannot be hired or promoted because they will “drop out” of the labor market. - Labor market participation and unemployment: - Women’s labor force participation is around 80 percent. - Men’s labor force participation is 87 percent. - The unemployment rate is 2.9 percent. - The extensive economic activity of all genders is identified as a key ingredient in Iceland’s economy. ### Persistent challenges and limitations - The gender pay gap still exists. - Jobs typically held by women remain undervalued and underpaid. - The labor market remains far too gender-segregated. - Violence and harassment have not been eradicated. - Children continue to be subjected to gender stereotypes. - Full equality of rights and opportunities has not been achieved despite progress. ### Analytical points and normative stance - Conventional economic dualism (expenses vs. investment) undervalues social infrastructure compared with physical infrastructure. - Social infrastructure (education, childcare, health care) is essential and complementary to physical infrastructure for societal development. - High childcare costs force mothers in lower-income groups to choose between family and work, perpetuating the gender pay gap. - Family-friendly policies should be seen as integral to building a society where everyone can flourish, not as luxuries or profligate public spending. ### Policy implications and recommendations - Continue expanding universal childcare and shared parental leave, including further entitlement extensions and aligning leave with public day care provision. - Treat social infrastructure spending as investment in societal capacity and economic inclusion, not merely operating costs. - Promote ideological vision, political struggle, and coordinated action by governments, businesses, and social groups to advance gender equality. - Forge ahead with progressive economic policies that challenge stereotypes about costs and benefits and prioritize gender equality within a broader well-being and sustainability agenda (including participation in the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments). *Source: Gender Equality in Iceland — IMF Finance & Development Magazine | March 2019* --- ## Content in this bundle - **وجهة نظر** - [وجهة نظر (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2019/march/ar/jakobsdottir.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"} - [وجهة نظر (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2019/march/ar/jakobsdottir.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"} - **Construir una economía inclusiva ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Marzo de 2019** - [Construir una economía inclusiva ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Marzo de 2019 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2019/march/es/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"} - 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观点 - 金融与发展** - [建立包容性经济 - 观点 - 金融与发展 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2019/march/zh/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"} - [建立包容性经济 - 观点 - 金融与发展 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2019/march/zh/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"} --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2019/03/gender-equality-in-iceland-inclusive-economy-jakobsdottir_