Finland took second place this year in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. The Nordic countries are closest to closing the gender gap, according to a survey by the Geneva-based organisation.

The Nordics have topped the Gender Gap Index since it was first published three years ago. This year Iceland took the lead while Norway was third and Sweden was fourth.

South Africa and Lesotho made the top ten list for the first time, according to the survey of 134 countries released Tuesday.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Pakistan, Chad and Yemen rank at the bottom of the list.

While many states have made some progress toward gender equality, no country has closed the gap when it comes to economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival.

"Girls and women make up one half of the world's population," the forum's founder and executive chairman, Klaus Schwab, said in a statement, "and without their engagement, empowerment and contribution, we cannot hope to achieve a rapid economic recovery nor effectively tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security and conflict."

YLE, AP