Women in France earn 21.8% less than men, and the wage gap is closing slowly.

According to data from 2024 published by the National Institute of Statistics in France (INSEE), women working in the private sector earn, on average, 21.8% less than men. This difference has only decreased by 0.4 percentage points compared to previous years, suggesting that the complete elimination of the gap could take 54.5 years. The average annual income for women is 22,060 euros, compared to 28,220 euros for men, the difference being mainly caused by part-time employment and lower wages in predominantly female occupations.

In Germany, official data shows that women earn 16% less than men, with the difference remaining constant compared to the previous year. Although in the regions of the former East Germany the difference is smaller (5%), in the rest of the country it is significant. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany emphasizes that nearly two-thirds of the difference is due to part-time employment and lower wages in female-dominated occupations. Additionally, career interruptions caused by pregnancy and childcare contribute to this gap. The European directive on pay transparency, which must be implemented by France by June 7, aims to strengthen the principle of equal pay.