Spain’s gender pay gap: Convergence faces upcoming challenges
Gender GAP
Fecha: noviembre 2024
Ángel Martínez
SEFO, Spanish and International Economic & Financial Outlook, V. 13 N.º6 (November 2024)
An analysis of data from the Wage Structure Surveys undertaken between 2002 and 2022 reveal that over the last two decades, Spain’s gender pay gap has narrowed significantly, from 29% in 2002 to 17%. The meaningful reduction so far this century appears to be partly attributable to higher labour intensity and significant flows of women into higher-paid sectors and occupations over the last decade. However, the most recent data suggest that the pay gap is currently stagnant at 2022 levels, prompting a debate about the policies that need to be adopted, such as those aimed to deliver more equitable childcare and more flexible working hours, to achieve further convergence in the years to come.