Male and female surviving spouses have equal rights to inherit assets (1=yes; 0=no)

This indicator assesses the legal framework governing inheritance rights for spouses in the absence of a will, specifically exploring whether surviving male and female spouses are afforded the same legal standing and entitlements to inherit the deceased partner’s assets. It focuses on situations where the deceased has no children or additional heirs, thereby directly influencing the surviving spouse's economic stability and security. A score of '1' indicates equal inheritance rights, promoting gender equity and reinforcing the principle of fairness in familial asset distribution. Conversely, a '0' reflects disparities that could leave one spouse at a significant disadvantage, highlighting broader implications for gender equality, financial independence, and the socio-economic well-being of surviving spouses in different jurisdictions. Source: