Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — By the standards of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Philippines places among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of gender equality.

In its Global Gender Gap Index for 2015, the WEF ranked the Philippines in 7th place out of 145 countries, up two places from the 2014 ranking which studied 142 countries.

In a statement, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the country's 2015 standing makes it the highest-ranking Asia-Pacific country in the index, besting New Zealand (10th place). The two countries are the only ones from the Asia-Pacific region which made it to the top 10.

The index looks at four indicators to determine gender equality: health and survival; educational attainment; economic participation; and political empowerment. The Philippines ranks 1st (tied with others), 34th, 16th, and 17th in the said indicators, respectively.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the country has been consistent in placing among the index's top 10 countries since 2006.

"The report also stated that the Philippines had shown significant improvement in the political empowerment area due to a higher number of women officials in government. It also pointed out that while the country’s health and survival gender gap was closed, educational attainment gender gap has expanded slightly," the DOLE said.

In the latest report, the Philippines was bested by Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, and Rwanda, respectively. Switzerland, Slovenia, and New Zealand rounded out the top 10.

By: CNN Philippines

Original Article: http://cnnphilippines.com/business/2016/01/10/philippines-7th-place-global-gender-gap-world-economic-forum.html