40 Percent Less Salary for Women: Equal Pay Day Highlights Imbalance

For couples with children, it is 47 percent, and for those with young children under six years, even 53 percent. But even when no children are involved, there is a gender pay gap of 22 percent between partners. "Unequal income usually comes with a power imbalance," warned Momentum Institute economist Sophie Achleitner.

Equal Pay Day is on February 13

On the occasion of Equal Pay Day, which according to the network "Business and Professional Women Austria" takes place on February 13, the Momentum Institute examined the gender pay gap among employees aged 25 to 54 in couple households based on the 2023 microcensus. Unlike Equal Pay Day, which only considers full-time employees working year-round, this calculation also includes part-time employees.

The wage gap widens significantly, especially for those with children. But even among childless couples, women earn less—even when only she, not he, has a university degree. In couple households with children, women earn 41 percent less than their partners, and in households without children, still 12 percent less. If both have a university degree, women with children earn 48 percent less, and those without children earn 20 percent less. Even when both work full-time, women with children earn 19 percent less, and those without children earn 17 percent less.

Wage Gap Across All Age Groups

The differences already exist among young couples: for those aged 25 to 34, the wage gap is generally 29 percent, and for those aged 45 to 54, it is 41 percent. However, it is highest among those aged 35 to 44, at 45 percent.

The gender pay gap is partly due to women often working in lower-paid industries. The Momentum Institute refers to the "devaluation theory," which suggests that the wage level in an industry decreases when more women enter it. For example, about 65 percent of helpers and 70 percent of people in service or sales jobs are women, but only 31 percent of executives are women. Even female full-time executives earn 27 percent less than their male counterparts.

The institute recommends a "massive expansion" of childcare and mandatory paternity leave, mandatory wage transparency within companies, and the upgrading of professions and industries predominantly occupied by women. "The work of women, who, for example, care for people or ensure our existence, is ultimately no less valuable to our society than that of people who operate machines," emphasized Achleitner.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.