Move over Norway: Gender equality makes gains in unexpected places.

The gender gap has narrowed in 105 countries over the last decade, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum. But three nations stand out in a mostly Nordic top 10.

Philippines (9th)

Aaron Favila/AP/file
Filipino women dance during a protest near the US Embassy in Manila on Oct. 10, 2013.

The Philippines has shown steady improvements across the WEF’s four key areas, having improved its overall score by four percentage points since 2006.

With a population of 98 million, the Philippines ranks second, only behind Norway, in women’s ability to reach leadership positions in the business world. Sixty-nine percent of firms in the Southeast Asian nation are at least partially owned by women, the highest rate of any country in the world. It’s also ranked ninth in the world in wage equality for similar work.

The Philippines' success on education and health issues has allowed it to close the gender gaps on both issues. Ninety-six percent of women in the country are literate, compared with 95 percent of men.

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