More women in the Asia Pacific area feel empowered and optimistic about the future this year, after last year's economic woes, a survey shows.

The region's overall score in the Master Card Worldwide Index of Women's Advancement rose to 85.57 compared to 84.47 last year, with women in half of the 14 countries surveyed - from Australia to Japan - feeling their socioeconomic standing in relation to men had improved.

More women are signing up for university degrees and a slightly higher proportion sees itself as earning above the average income: 80 index points compared to 75 last year.

"We are glad to see this translating into a greater sense of self-worth," said Georgette Tan, Master Card spokesman for the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa.

The research, which surveyed 3306 women and 3316 men, uses an index to show relative improvements between men and women, with 100 meaning total equality. Numbers less than that favour men, while higher numbers favour women.

Across the region, women consumers were slightly more confident about the next six months compared to their male counterparts - 66.8 versus 65.7 - driven by optimism about the economy, the stock market, income, jobs and overall quality of life. More see themselves as making most of the big financial decisions in households, a dynamic seen in 11 of the areas. More than 80% spend on household appliances, dining and entertainment, and then fashion.