Although more women than men finish higher education in the EU, they are represented less on the labour market. Almost 30% of women in the EU work part-time and they are much more likely to stop work to take care of children and relatives.
The gender pay gap changes with age – it tends to be lower when people first start work and widens afterwards, although these patterns vary between countries. The gender pay gap also differs by industry, and in 2017 was higher in the private sector than in the public sector in the majority of EU countries.
An important reason for the gender pay gap is the overrepresentation of women in relatively low paying sectors and underrepresentation in higher-paid sectors. For example, on average in the EU in 2018, there were more male than female scientists and engineers – 59% compared to 41%. Women hold only 33% of managerial positions in the EU.
The gender pay gap means women are at higher risk of poverty in old age. In 2018, women in the EU aged over 65 received pensions that were on average 30% lower than male pensions. The situation between member states differs here as well – from a 43% pension gap in Luxembourg to 1% in Estonia.
Read more about what the Parliament is doing to narrow the gender pay gap.
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