EU gender pay gap: women earn €3,900 less per year than men
ETUC estimates show women in the EU lose nearly €3,900 annually on average due to the gender pay gap, totalling over €358 billion in lost wages.
The gender pay gap in the European Union remains significant. According to Eurostat, women's gross hourly earnings are on average 11.1% lower than men's, meaning for every €100 a man earns, a woman earns only €88.9. Annualised, the gap translates into almost €3,900 less per year for the average working woman, based on calculations by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
In total, the 92.5 million women working in the EU lose more than €358 billion collectively each year. ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch noted that while pay transparency measures cost companies little, inaction by national governments costs women billions in lost wages.
The largest annual losses are in Finland (€7,592), Austria (€6,854), Germany (€6,049) and Sweden (€5,116). Estonia, France, Czechia and Ireland also see losses above €4,000. In Latvia, the loss is €2,856. Luxembourg is the only EU country where women earn more than men – about €474 more per year.
The EU's Pay Transparency Directive, which was due to take effect by 7 June 2026, has not been implemented by most member states. ETUC estimates that even a 10% reduction in the gap would give the average working woman an extra €672 per year, with the highest gains in France (€1,069) and Ireland (€1,033). ETUC warns that governments continuing to avoid their legal obligations can expect to be taken to court.
