Gender pay inequality: a persistent issue In the Netherlands there is still a significant wage gap between men and women, despite progress in recent decades. According to the 'Monitor Gender Pay Gap, 2022' by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the unadjusted gender pay gap in the private sector was 16.4%, while in the public sector, it was 5.1%. 💡 This means that, on average, women earn 16.4% less than men in the private sector and 5.1% less in government jobs—without taking into account differences in position, work experience or education level. (Source: CBS)

When factors such as education level, work experience, job role, and number of working hours are accounted for, a wage gap still remains. In the corporate sector, this adjusted wage gap is 6.9%, while in the public sector, it stands at 1.8%. This indicates a systematic difference that cannot be fully explained by measurable factors and may be influenced by discrimination or unconscious bias.Bron: CBS)

Notably, the salary gap increases as salaries rise. In the top 5% of pay scales in the corporate sector, women earn an average of 26.5% less than men in comparable positions. This suggests that women are less likely to advance to top positions or that these roles are less well-compensated for women. Even within the same job roles, women earn less on average, particularly in leadership and specialist positions.Bron: CBS)

Other factors also play a role. Women are more likely to work part-time, which affects their total annual income, but this does not explain the hourly wage gap. Additionally, women are more represented in sectors with lower salaries, such as healthcare and education, compared to fields like engineering or IT, where average wages are higher.

Although the wage gap has decreased in recent years, barriers still remain. Closing this gap requires action on multiple levels, such as improving transparency in salary structures, raising awareness of biases, and implementing policies that support women in advancing to higher-paying positions. Additionally, it is crucial for companies to actively ensure equal pay for equal work and for women to become more aware of their negotiating power during salary discussions.

Conclusion: There’s a lot more to do Although the gender pay gap is shrinking, significant disparities remain. The statistics highlight the urgent need for continuous efforts—both from policy makers and society as a whole.
Watch the episode ‘The Glass Ceiling’ on the gender pay gap: ‘Men’s salaries have increased more’.