The EU Gender Pay Gap Persists
Despite progress in reducing the gender pay gap, women in the EU still earn 12% less than men, according to Eurostat data in 2023. The unadjusted gender pay gap ranges from -0.7% in Luxembourg to 19% in Latvia, with Eastern and Central European countries exhibiting larger disparities. The Commission attributes the gap to overrepresentation of women in lower-paying sectors and unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work.
- The EU's struggles with the gender pay gap may be a reflection of broader societal attitudes towards work and family life, highlighting the need for policy changes that address these underlying issues.
- Will increasing transparency and accountability measures around pay practices and corporate governance help to drive meaningful change and closer alignment between the public and private sectors in addressing this disparity?