Where pay meets progress: 6 European nations narrowing the gender wage gap
Some European countries are no longer just aiming to shrink the gender pay gap—they are actively rewriting the rules that once governed wage inequality.
This shift is not the result of a single policy or political promise. Instead, it is a mosaic of efforts: from transparent pay laws and accessible childcare to increasing representation of women in STEM and leadership roles. In places where equality is treated not as a slogan but as a structural necessity, the results are beginning to show.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Luxembourg, where women have overtaken men in average earnings, a symbolic and statistical milestone that challenges the continent's long-standing status quo. In other corners of Europe, countries like Belgium, Romania, and Slovenia are demonstrating that systemic support, not just economic growth—is the key to genuine progress.
Yet, the picture is far from uniform. In countries like Italy, a narrow pay gap masks a broader inequality rooted in cultural norms and limited workforce access.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In
IC Markets
Learn More
Undo
In Poland, the numbers are encouraging but still shadowed by infrastructural gaps. Even as some nations surge forward, others continue to wrestle with deep-seated barriers.
Luxembourg: Leading with equality
Luxembourg has emerged as a standout in the European wage landscape, becoming one of the few countries where women, on average, earn slightly more than men. This rare reversal is no accident. Robust gender equality initiatives, combined with high levels of female employment in well-compensated public sector positions, have tipped the scales in favor of pay equity.
In a continent where progress is often incremental, Luxembourg offers a glimpse of what's possible with systemic support.
Italy: A gap beyond the numbers
At first glance, Italy's official gender pay gap—just 4.3%—suggests an encouraging trend. But the numbers conceal a deeper reality: countless women are excluded from the workforce altogether. Cultural expectations, insufficient childcare infrastructure, and economic disincentives push many Italian women into part-time roles or out of the job market entirely.
The result is a wage gap that exists less in pay slips than in participation.
Romania: Technical fields narrowing the divide
With a gap of 4.5%, Romania owes much of its progress to greater gender parity in education and strong female representation in technical and STEM-related fields. While urban centers are leading the charge, rural regions still face challenges, where traditional roles and limited access to quality employment slow the pace of change.
Belgium: Transparency as a tool
Belgium's 5% gender pay gap reflects the country's commitment to policy-driven equality.
Mandatory pay transparency laws, accessible parental leave, and comprehensive childcare services have created an environment where wage disparities are actively monitored and addressed. The result is a labor market that rewards merit more than gender.
Poland: STEM success and full-time roles
Poland's 7.8% pay gap is one of the lowest in Central Europe, supported by a strong female presence in science and engineering fields. Fewer part-time roles among women also contribute to a more equitable earnings landscape.
However, economic pressures and limited workplace flexibility remain barriers for many working mothers.
Slovenia: Skilled, supported, and seen
With a gap of just 8.2%, Slovenia benefits from one of the EU's most progressive family leave policies and a well-educated female workforce. Widespread employment in high-skilled sectors and comprehensive public support systems have allowed women to remain active in their careers while balancing family responsibilities—a model other nations are closely observing.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
30 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Israel-Iran war: Will the ceasefire hold?
The 12-day Israel-Iran war, backed by U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, ended with a ceasefire—but without decisive victory. President Trump declared Iran's facilities 'obliterated,' yet U.S. and European intelligence suggested only a temporary setback. Iran had likely dispersed its enriched uranium, and experts say it could resume enrichment within months. For Israel, the war exposed its overdependence on the U.S. and its inability to dismantle Iran's nuclear programme or provoke regime change. While Washington wants to stop a nuclear Iran, it avoids deep military entanglement in West Asia, especially under domestic pressure. For Iran, the attack echoed historical betrayals like the 1953 coup, strengthening its resolve. Many now argue that only nuclear deterrence—like North Korea's—can shield Iran from foreign aggression. As Iran rebuilds its arsenal and Israel stays on high alert, the ceasefire is only a pause. The deeper conflict and its dangers remain unresolved. Presentation - Stanly Johny Camera & Editing - Shivaraj S
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Monsoon session: Centre open to Operation Sindoor debate, says Rijiju; impeachment motion against Justice Varma picks up steam
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said the government is open to discussing key issues like Operation Sindoor in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, provided discussions are held in accordance with the "rules and traditions" of the House. 'There are several issues that parties have expressed interest in discussing in Parliament. We are ready for discussions with an open heart. We work as per rules and tradition and hold these in great value. So, we will discuss every issue, but as per rules and tradition,' Rijiju said after an all-party meeting. 'Fifty-four members participated in the all-party meeting today. It was a very positive session. All party leaders gave their inputs, and we have noted them. We have requested everyone to ensure the session is conducted successfully. It is important to run Parliament peacefully and productively. We may belong to different parties and ideologies, but it is our collective responsibility to run the House effectively,' he added. Rijiju also called for government-opposition coordination to ensure smooth functioning of the session and reiterated that the Centre "will respond appropriately" if the opposition raises the issue of US President Donald Trump's claims on Operation Sindoor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo 'This is a very welcome suggestion. The all-party delegations to various countries after Operation Sindoor were well-received and effective. All those valuable experiences should be shared with the nation,' he said. While briefing the media, Rijiju also said a consensus had been reached on initiating the impeachment process against Justice Yashwant Varma. He claimed that the number of MPs who had signed the motion for his removal had already crossed 100. 'In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken collectively by all parties. This is not a government-only move,' Rijiju said. 'I cannot comment on any business priority because, unless the matter is passed by the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) with the Chair's approval, I cannot make an announcement outside... The signatures are being collected and have already crossed 100,' he added. This comes as the Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin from Monday. The session is expected to be stormy, with the opposition's INDIA bloc and the BJP-led government preparing to clash on several issues. The opposition has demanded discussions on the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and what it calls a 'drift' in foreign policy, insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should personally respond to these debates.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Delhi: Oil regulator seeks uniform price for piped cooking gas, cracks down on retailers
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board ( PNGRB ), the oil sector regulator, has ordered all of Delhi 's gas retailers to charge a uniform price for natural gas they pipe to household kitchens for cooking purposes, regardless of consumption levels. This has been done to curb the practice of companies to charge a higher rate beyond a usage threshold. The city gas retailers are allocated with natural gas priced at lower than market rates, called APM gas, for sale to households as piped natural gas (PNG). The expectation from the government is that the retailers pass on the benefits to consumers since they get it for a lower price. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy Data Science Design Thinking Artificial Intelligence MCA Product Management Digital Marketing Degree Management Cybersecurity PGDM healthcare Data Science MBA Healthcare CXO Others Operations Management Technology Data Analytics Leadership Finance Project Management others Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details However, gas supplied to commercial establishments like hotels are priced at market rate and not lower. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Senior Living Homes in Mirpur May Surprise You Senior Living | Search Ads Undo The PNGRB in a notice said it has come to light that "certain city gas distribution (CGD) entities are implementing a telescopic pricing structure for piped natural gas (PNG) domestic consumers, wherein the per SCM (Standard Cubic Meter) price of natural gas escalates as consumption surpasses a predefined threshold". It termed such a practice as incorrect. Live Events "Such pricing practices may inadvertently facilitate the unauthorised use of subsidised administered price mechanism (APM) gas by commercial consumers, who may be misclassified as domestic consumers," the regulator said. However, companies involved in such practice have not been named. PNGRB said APM gas is being supplied to CGD entities to fulfil the PNG (Domestic) and CNG (Transport) demand. "This allocation is made at a concessional rate compared to market or spot LNG prices, with the objective of promoting the adoption of natural gas across domestic households and the transport sector." Telescopic pricing structure for PNG "may inadvertently facilitate the unauthorised use of subsidised APM gas by commercial consumers who may be misclassified as domestic consumers", it said. "Additionally, genuine domestic consumers with higher consumption levels may be unfairly subjected to elevated charges, despite natural gas being supplied to CGD entities at a uniform APM rate," it added. The regulator said GGD entities should undertake a thorough review of consumption patterns and investigate anomalous cases, where domestic consumers exhibit significantly higher usage relative to the industry average for transparency. "Based on the findings, suitable corrective measures be instituted as per the regulations on the subject. PNG (Domestic kitchen usage) should be supplied at a uniform rate to all domestic household consumers, irrespective of their daily consumption levels," PNGRB added. Just like piped natural gas, differential pricing exists even in LPG prices. Households buy 14.2-kg cylinders at subsidised rates while commercial establishments, like hotels and restaurants, are to use market-priced 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders. But diversion of domestic LPG to commercial establishments has been a rampant practice.
