Which country has made it illegal for men to earn more than women?

Iceland has become the first country in the world to make it illegal to pay women less than men.

New legislation says that companies and government agencies with more than 25 employees will have to obtain government certification for their equal-pay policies, and those that fail to demonstrate pay equality will face fines.

Thorsteinn Viglundsson, a Reform Party MP who was formerly the Minister of Social Affairs and Equality, told Euronews that he welcomed the incoming changes to the law. “I’m optimistic, even though there’s been a change in Government, that this bill will remain a permanent measure,” he says. “The Icelandic population on average is pushing for gender equality and has been for some time.”

Iceland was already leading the world when it comes to gender equality, having been ranked the highest in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for the past nine years. The UK was ranked 15th in 2017, with a 16.9% pay gap.