Malta has slipped six places in the Global Gender Gap Report for 2009 compiled by the World Economic Forum.

The index of 134 countries shows Malta in 89th place from 83 last year and 76 in 2007. It was in 71st position in 2006.

Iceland leads the index followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The countries ahead of Malta include Belize (88) Tajikistan and Greece (86 and 87) Azerbaijan and Armenia are immediately behind Malta.

The report assesses countries on how well they are dividing their resources and opportunities among their male and female populations, regardless of the overall levels of these resources and opportunities.

The section on Malta shows sharp disparities between men and women on political empowerment, labour force participation, earned income, the proportion of legislators, senior officials, managers, professionals and technical workers.

There is no difference in the area of education, other than in enrolment to tertiary education, where women are doing better than men.

The Malta profile can be viewed at http://www.weforum.org/pdf/gendergap2009/Malta.pdf