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EU Gender Pay Gap: 12% Disparity Persists Despite Progress

11/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In the European Union, men earn 12% more per hour on average than women.
Equal Pay Day marks the date women would need to work to close the pay gap.
Over the past decade, the gap narrowed by 4%, but progress remains slow.
Contributing factors include women's over-representation in low-paid sectors and higher unpaid work.
The EU's Pay Transparency Directive will take effect by June 2026 and requires salary disclosures.

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Story summary

In the European Union, men earn 12% more per hour on average than women.
Equal Pay Day marks the date women would need to work to close the pay gap.
Over the past decade, the gap narrowed by 4%, but progress remains slow.
Contributing factors include women's over-representation in low-paid sectors and higher unpaid work.
The EU's Pay Transparency Directive will take effect by June 2026 and requires salary disclosures.