Women, Business and the Law

WBL 2026 report is now live!

What is Women, Business and the Law

The World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) is a global benchmarking project that measures how laws, regulations, and policies shape women’s economic opportunities and private sector development across 190 economies. WBL data and analysis guide countries in identifying opportunities for reforms that unlock women’s economic potential and drive job creation and economic growth.

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WBL 2026 Report

Women, Business and the Law 2026 shows how legal and policy frameworks shape women’s economic opportunities in 190 economies and how removing barriers to their participation in the economy can boost jobs, productivity, and inclusive growth.

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20%

The potential raise in global GDP from closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship.

Women living in countries close to full legal equality. No economy grants women equal economic opportunities.

67%

Women's legal rights compared to men globally.

47%

Policies and institutions needed to make laws effective in place globally.

53%

Perception on the enforcement of laws supporting women’s economic participation globally.

Economies across regions with legal reforms strengthening women’s economic opportunities between 2023 and 2025.

Explore our Data

Access an interactive map to view economy-level scores on legal frameworks, supportive frameworks, and enforcement perceptions. Click on "Economy details" to see more information for the economy of your choice.