The global gap in earnings between men and women will not be closed for another 170 years if current trends continue, according to a report from the World Economic Forum.

The forum's annual Global Gender Gap Report, released Tuesday, lists economics and health as the most challenging disparities between men and women worldwide.

The report has more positive findings when it comes to the gender gap on educational attainment, which it says “could be reduced to parity” within 10 years.

The widest gap between the sexes, according to the survey, is in political empowerment. But the forum notes that significant progress has been made in narrowing that divide since 2006.

Four Nordic countries, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden, top the Global Gender Gap index, which measures differences in economics, education, health and political empowerment among 144 countries. Those in the top five, which also includes Rwanda, have closed more than 80 percent of their gender gaps.

The U.S. placed 45th, down from 28th in 2015. The report cites a decline in the number of women participating in the labor force over the past year.

Yemen came in last.

New-home sales advanced 3.1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The gains were concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest and South, as sales tumbled last month in the West.

So far this year, sales have increased 13 percent compared to the same period in 2015. The improvement largely reflects the better economic outlook as paychecks are improving and a growing share of homebuyers are seeking new properties.

“Demand for new homes remains strong in response to employment growth, wage gains, positive demographics and mortgage rates near all-time lows,” said David Berson, chief economist at Nationwide.

Subaru recalling 100,000 cars

Subaru is recalling more than 100,000 of its top-selling models in the U.S. because a turbocharger air pump can run continuously, overheat and could cause fires.

The recall covers certain 2007 to 2009 Legacy and Outback vehicles, some 2008 to 2014 Imprezas and certain 2009 to 2013 Foresters.

All the cars and SUVs have turbocharged engines.

Subaru says in government documents that a relay controlling a secondary air injection pump can fail, causing the pump to run continuously. If it overheats, it can melt and catch fire.

The company reported two fires in government documents but says it has no reports of any injuries.