European Commission

European Commission

EQUAL PAY?

It's time
to close the gap

What is the gender pay gap?

It is the difference between the gross hourly earnings of all working
men and those of all working women.
Women earn over 16%
less than men per hour in the EU.
84 cents
for every €1
a man earns
Around 2 months
worked for FREE
each year
The older you are,
the bigger the gap
For example, in Finland

Under 25

6.3%

25-34

12.7%

35-44

20.2%

45-54

21%

55-64

23.6%

Over 64

25.8%

SO, MEN EARN MORE THAN WOMEN,
THAT'S INEVITABLE ISN'T IT?

More women work part-time,
so they should earn less
WRONG
Working fewer hours a week
means you should take home
less pay per month, NOT less
pay per hour.
Women earn less
because they choose
lower earning jobs
WRONG
Women tend to earn less per hour than men for the
same job whether it is a highly-skilled profession like
a doctor or nurse or a lower-skilled job such as a
salesperson. The gender pay gap exists across our
economy, and in all sectors and occupations.
Men are better educated,
so should earn more
WRONG
Today, 60% of university graduates
in the EU are women.

SO, WHAT IS REALLY
BEHIND THE GENDER PAY GAP?

Fewer promotions

Fewer opportunities

What does it really mean for women?

Less money now

Less money later


Fewer paid hours worked

More career breaks

Gender pay gap

-41%
annual
earnings

Less money
to save and invest

39%

EU average
pension gap between
men and women.

FIND OUT MORE

See what the European Commission is doing to close
the gender pay gap and fight gender inequality