The Gender Equality Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria among the countries of the European Union. A score of 0 indicates that there is no gender equality, while 100 points indicate that gender equality is achieved. In the 2024 index, the leading country was Sweden with 82 points. Denmark and the Netherlands were the second and third most gender equal countries. Considering the other side of the spectrum, Romania only scored 56.1 points, way below the EU average of 70.2. Other countries at the bottom of the ranking were Hungary and Romania. Equality in health Not only does the index measure gender equality on national levels, it also breaks down gender equality into different dimensions. With an index score of 88 points, health was the most equal dimension among men and women within the EU, followed by money and work. To the contrary, power was considered the most unequal dimension, along with knowledge and time management. The Global Gender Gap Index From a global perspective, Iceland is considered the most gender equal country. Dominating this list are the Nordic countries: Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and Sweden rank in the top 5. As of 2024, it was estimated that Europe had closed 75 percent of its gender gap, making it the most successful region in the world, before North and Latin America. Nevertheless, experts predict that gender parity will not be achieved in the region for another 67 years.
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Spain - Gender gap in part-time employment was 14.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Spain - Gender gap in part-time employment - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Spain - Gender gap in part-time employment reached a record high of 17.80% in December of 2014 and a record low of 14.60% in December of 2023.
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France - Gender gap in part-time employment was 18.30% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Gender gap in part-time employment - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, France - Gender gap in part-time employment reached a record high of 26.10% in December of 2007 and a record low of 18.10% in December of 2023.
The global gender gap index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria. In 2025, the country offering the most gender equal conditions was Iceland, with a score of 0.93. Overall, the Nordic countries make up 3 of the 5 most gender equal countries worldwide. The Nordic countries are known for their high levels of gender equality, including high female employment rates and evenly divided parental leave. Sudan is the second-least gender equal country Pakistan is found on the other end of the scale, ranked as the least gender equal country in the world. Conditions for civilians in the North African country have worsened significantly after a civil war broke out in April 2023. Especially girls and women are suffering and have become victims of sexual violence. Moreover, nearly 9 million people are estimated to be at acute risk of famine. The Middle East and North Africa have the largest gender gap Looking at the different world regions, the Middle East and North Africa have the largest gender gap as of 2023, just ahead of South Asia. Moreover, it is estimated that it will take another 152 years before the gender gap in the Middle East and North Africa is closed. On the other hand, Europe has the lowest gender gap in the world.
The total employment rate in the European reached 71.7 percent in the third quarter of 2024, an increase on the previous quarter and amongst the highest employment rates in the union since 2005. There is a marked inequality between the male and female employment rates in the EU, with the male employment rate being approximately 75 percent, while the rate for females is around 66 percent. The gap between men and women has declined since 2005, when the gap was almost 15 percent, rather than the 10 percent it is today.
Finland's employment rate has shown a steady upward trend over the past decade, reaching 72.1 percent in 2024. The employment rate increased steadily from around 68 percent in 2015 to 73.6 percent in 2023. Unemployment trends and gender disparities While employment rates have generally improved, unemployment remains a concern. In 2023, Finland reported 204,000 unemployed individuals, an increase of 14,000 from the previous year. The unemployment rate in Finland stood at 7.2 percent in 2023, down from its peak of 9.6 percent in 2015. Notably, a gender gap persists in unemployment, with men experiencing a 1.4 percent higher unemployment rate (7.9 percent) compared to women (6.5 percent) in 2023. Gender equality in the workforce In 2023, Finland demonstrated a unique aspect of its labor market, with women slightly outpacing men in employment rates. Women's employment rate stood at 74.1 percent, compared to 73.1 percent for men. This narrow gap highlights Finland's progress in workplace gender equality, with the country's female employment rate consistently surpassing the EU average. The employment rates across different age groups varied, with the highest rates observed among 45- to 54-year-olds and 35- to 44-year-olds.
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Netherlands - Gender gap in part-time employment was 41.90% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Netherlands - Gender gap in part-time employment - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Netherlands - Gender gap in part-time employment reached a record high of 49.70% in December of 2012 and a record low of 41.80% in December of 2023.
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France - Gender employment gap was 5.90 % of total population in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Gender employment gap - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, France - Gender employment gap reached a record high of 11.10 % of total population in December of 2003 and a record low of 5.50 % of total population in December of 2023.
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France - Gender employment gap: Rural areas was 4.60% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Gender employment gap: Rural areas - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, France - Gender employment gap: Rural areas reached a record high of 13.90% in December of 2006 and a record low of 4.10% in December of 2023.
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Belgium - Gender employment gap was 8.00 % of total population in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Belgium - Gender employment gap - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Belgium - Gender employment gap reached a record high of 12.20 % of total population in December of 2009 and a record low of 7.60 % of total population in December of 2023.
The UK's median gender pay gap has substantially reduced from 36.4% in the 1970s to around 18%, yet it remains one of the highest in the EU and OECD. Previously attributed to differences in education and work experience, this explanation is outdated as women now frequently outpace men in education and are less likely to leave the workforce. However, women still earn about 10% less than men, even with similar work and qualifications. Research has shifted focus from productivity differences to the potential role of employer wage-setting practices. This research suggests that women's negotiating power may be undermined by familial responsibilities, leading to lower mobility in the job market and consequently lower wages. The study will explore how employer wage-setting power and job-to-job mobility contribute to the gender pay gap, aiming to inform effective policies.
The collection contains a set of syntax files used to construct an alternative employment concentration index that takes into account commuting costs. The files are based on the Stata language and use the Business Structure Dataset and the UK Longitudinal Household Study to derive the index.
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Croatia - Gender gap in part-time employment was 1.60% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Croatia - Gender gap in part-time employment - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Croatia - Gender gap in part-time employment reached a record high of 4.30% in December of 2010 and a record low of 1.50% in December of 2023.
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France - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs was 6.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, France - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs reached a record high of 11.80% in December of 2005 and a record low of 6.40% in December of 2023.
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Slovakia - Gender employment gap: Cities was 5.30% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Slovakia - Gender employment gap: Cities - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Slovakia - Gender employment gap: Cities reached a record high of 16.30% in December of 2007 and a record low of 3.50% in December of 2023.
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Malta - Gender gap in part-time employment was 12.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Malta - Gender gap in part-time employment - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Malta - Gender gap in part-time employment reached a record high of 21.10% in December of 2014 and a record low of 12.20% in December of 2023.
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Belgium - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs was 7.50% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Belgium - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Belgium - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs reached a record high of 15.70% in December of 2005 and a record low of 6.50% in December of 2023.
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Ireland - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs was 9.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Ireland - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Ireland - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs reached a record high of 13.30% in December of 2018 and a record low of 8.50% in December of 2023.
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Portugal - Gender employment gap was 5.70 % of total population in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Portugal - Gender employment gap - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Portugal - Gender employment gap reached a record high of 10.80 % of total population in December of 2009 and a record low of 5.50 % of total population in December of 2023.
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Malta - Gender employment gap: Cities was 14.00% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Malta - Gender employment gap: Cities - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Malta - Gender employment gap: Cities reached a record high of 44.80% in December of 2005 and a record low of 13.40% in December of 2023.
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Cyprus - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs was 8.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Cyprus - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Cyprus - Gender employment gap: Towns and suburbs reached a record high of 25.40% in December of 2005 and a record low of 8.20% in December of 2023.
The Gender Equality Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria among the countries of the European Union. A score of 0 indicates that there is no gender equality, while 100 points indicate that gender equality is achieved. In the 2024 index, the leading country was Sweden with 82 points. Denmark and the Netherlands were the second and third most gender equal countries. Considering the other side of the spectrum, Romania only scored 56.1 points, way below the EU average of 70.2. Other countries at the bottom of the ranking were Hungary and Romania. Equality in health Not only does the index measure gender equality on national levels, it also breaks down gender equality into different dimensions. With an index score of 88 points, health was the most equal dimension among men and women within the EU, followed by money and work. To the contrary, power was considered the most unequal dimension, along with knowledge and time management. The Global Gender Gap Index From a global perspective, Iceland is considered the most gender equal country. Dominating this list are the Nordic countries: Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and Sweden rank in the top 5. As of 2024, it was estimated that Europe had closed 75 percent of its gender gap, making it the most successful region in the world, before North and Latin America. Nevertheless, experts predict that gender parity will not be achieved in the region for another 67 years.