Gender pay gap

Despite consistent efforts over decades across Europe, according to recent studies today women are still paid on average 16% less than men per hour of work. The gender pay gap (GPG) is the difference between men’s and women’s pay, expressed as a percentage of male earnings.

Closing the gender gap has always been a priority for the EU. Based on the assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the Strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015, the European Commission released a Strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-2019 as a reference framework for increased effort at all levels. One of its 5 key priorities is reducing the gender pay, earnings and pension gaps and thus fighting poverty among women.

Both strategies were elaborated within the framework of the European Pact for Gender Equality (2011-2020). The EU is also supporting several initiatives for raising awareness on the issue like the International Women’s day and the Equal Pay Day.

This EPRS Keysource provides a structured listing of information sources on the subject.

Compiled by Cristina Cardarelli and Ulla Jurviste

EPRS: What Think Tanks are Thinking: Gender equality: EU challenges and policies http://www.europeansources.info/record/gender-equality-eu-challenges-and-policies-what-think-tanks-are-thinking/

---