Constructing a regional gender equality index: Reflections on a first experience with Norwegian data

Abstract

This article discusses some of the problems and difficulties encountered during the process of developing a Norwegian regional gender equality index and presents some of the main results. Three types of variables are included in the index: Demographic variables, welfare- and economic activity variables, and so-called “administrative” variables. A correlation analysis reveals a wide range of interconnections between various local characteristics and gender equality. The regional map based on the index contains both expected and surprising results.