Gender Wage Gap 2017

Gender wage gap measures income disparity between men and women. Discover which countries have the highest and lowest gaps.

53 data points••Global Coverage•Gender wage gap, 2025•

Interactive Map

Loading interactive map...

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Mali flag
Mali
43.801 %
2
Zambia flag
Zambia
37.776 %
3
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
37.319 %
4
South Korea flag
South Korea
33.07 %
5
Ghana flag
Ghana
31.023 %
6
Uganda flag
Uganda
28.565 %
7
Russia flag
Russia
25.29 %
8
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
22.71 %
9
Armenia flag
Armenia
21.382 %
10
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
20.01 %
11
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
18.518 %
12
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
17.036 %
13
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
16.846 %
14
Finland flag
Finland
16.61 %
15
Nepal flag
Nepal
16.085 %
16
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
15.064 %
17
Chile flag
Chile
14.326 %
18
United States flag
United States
12.657 %
19
Spain flag
Spain
12.5 %
20
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
12.454 %
21
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
12.184 %
22
France flag
France
11.643 %
23
Sweden flag
Sweden
11.22 %
24
Brazil flag
Brazil
8.872 %
25
Egypt flag
Egypt
8.45 %
26
Peru flag
Peru
8.004 %
27
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
7.947 %
28
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
7.857 %
29
Jordan flag
Jordan
7.486 %
30
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
6.436 %
31
Portugal flag
Portugal
5.443 %
32
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
4.901 %
33
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
4.49 %
34
Greece flag
Greece
2.422 %
35
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
0.369 %
36
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
0.33 %
37
Laos flag
Laos
-0.284 %
38
Argentina flag
Argentina
-0.897 %
39
Italy flag
Italy
-2.516 %
40
Turkey flag
Turkey
-3.129 %
41
Thailand flag
Thailand
-3.539 %
42
Mexico flag
Mexico
-3.695 %
43
Panama flag
Panama
-5.726 %
44
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
-5.769 %
45
Liberia flag
Liberia
-5.801 %
46
Colombia flag
Colombia
-6.902 %
47
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
-7.314 %
48
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
-7.452 %
49
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
-7.469 %
50
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
-10.74 %
51
Philippines flag
Philippines
-14.443 %
52
Honduras flag
Honduras
-18.041 %
53
Samoa flag
Samoa
-32.693 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Mali flagMali
  2. #2Zambia flagZambia
  3. #3Rwanda flagRwanda
  4. #4South Korea flagSouth Korea
  5. #5Ghana flagGhana
  6. #6Uganda flagUganda
  7. #7Russia flagRussia
  8. #8Pakistan flagPakistan
  9. #9Armenia flagArmenia
  10. #10Czech Republic flagCzech Republic

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #53Samoa flagSamoa
  2. #52Honduras flagHonduras
  3. #51Philippines flagPhilippines
  4. #50Sri Lanka flagSri Lanka
  5. #49Dominican Republic flagDominican Republic
  6. #48Costa Rica flagCosta Rica
  7. #47Ecuador flagEcuador
  8. #46Colombia flagColombia
  9. #45Liberia flagLiberia
  10. #44El Salvador flagEl Salvador

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2017, Mali recorded the highest Gender Wage Gap at 43.80%, while Samoa had the lowest, at -32.69%. This disparity exemplifies the global range of gender wage differences. The global average wage gap for the year stood at 8.01%, highlighting ongoing income inequality challenges across diverse economic landscapes.

Economic Factors Influencing the Gender Wage Gap

Economic structures significantly impact the Gender Wage Gap, with countries like South Korea (33.07%) and Russia (25.29%) exhibiting high gaps due to industrial sectors that traditionally favor male employment. South Korea's technological and manufacturing sectors, for instance, often offer higher wages, yet these industries see lower female participation rates. Conversely, countries with lower gaps, such as Philippines (-14.44%) and Sri Lanka (-10.74%), often feature economies where service sectors dominate, providing more equitable opportunities for women.

Geographic and Policy Drivers

Geographic and policy-related factors also play a crucial role. In Sub-Saharan Africa, countries like Zambia (37.78%) and Rwanda (37.32%) display significant wage gaps, often due to limited access to education and formal employment for women. Meanwhile, in Latin America, nations such as Honduras (-18.04%) and Dominican Republic (-7.47%) show negative gender wage gaps, suggesting women earn more than men, potentially due to targeted gender equality policies and higher female participation in the workforce.

Demographic and Cultural Influences

Demographics and cultural attitudes towards gender roles can either exacerbate or mitigate wage disparities. In Pakistan (22.71%), cultural norms often restrict women's participation in the workforce, contributing to a higher wage gap. In contrast, Colombia (-6.90%) and El Salvador (-5.77%) might benefit from cultural shifts towards gender equality, alongside governmental efforts to enhance women's economic participation.

Year-over-Year Trends and Their Implications

Examining year-over-year changes offers insight into evolving trends. Sri Lanka experienced the most significant decrease in the wage gap, dropping by 20.10%, a reduction that may reflect successful policy interventions or shifts in economic participation. Conversely, Mali's increase of 13.51% suggests that existing inequalities were exacerbated, possibly due to economic or social disruptions. Meanwhile, Pakistan saw a substantial rise of 11.90%, indicating persistent systemic challenges in achieving wage parity.

The data from 2017 underscores the complex interplay of economic, geographic, demographic, and policy factors shaping the Gender Wage Gap globally. While some nations progress towards narrowing the gap, others highlight the need for targeted interventions to address deep-rooted inequalities. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers aiming to promote gender equity in the workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gender Wage Gap in 2017

Which country had the highest gender wage gap in 2017?

In 2017, Mali had the highest gender wage gap at 43.8%.

Which country had the lowest gender wage gap in 2017?

Samoa had the lowest gender wage gap in 2017, with a value of -32.69%.

What was the average gender wage gap across the countries in 2017?

The average gender wage gap across the 53 countries in 2017 was 8.01%.

What was the median gender wage gap in 2017?

The median gender wage gap among the countries in 2017 was 7.95%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for the highest gender wage gap in 2017?

The top 3 countries with the highest gender wage gap in 2017 were Mali (43.8%), Zambia (37.78%), and Rwanda (37.32%).

What is the range of the gender wage gap values in 2017?

In 2017, the gender wage gap ranged from -32.69% in Samoa to 43.8% in Mali.

Insights by country

1

Chile

In 2017, Chile had a Gender Wage Gap of 14.326%, ranking #17 out of 53 countries. This figure is notable as it is lower than the regional average in Latin America, reflecting ongoing gender equality efforts in the workforce.

Key drivers of this wage gap include the predominance of women in lower-paying sectors and challenges related to labor market participation, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, cultural norms around gender roles continue to influence women's career advancement opportunities in Chile.

2

Finland

In 2017, Finland ranked #14 globally in the Gender Wage Gap with a 16.61 % disparity between male and female earnings. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting Finland's commitment to gender equality and progressive labor policies. Key factors contributing to this wage gap include occupational segregation and differences in work experience, despite Finland's strong emphasis on equal pay legislation and social welfare systems.

3

Argentina

In 2017, Argentina ranked #38 out of 53 countries with a Gender Wage Gap of -0.897 %. This figure is notably better than some regional neighbors, indicating a moderate level of gender wage equality compared to countries with larger gaps. Key drivers include Argentina's progressive labor laws and policies aimed at promoting gender equality in the workforce, which have contributed to narrowing the wage disparity between men and women.

4

Sweden

In 2017, Sweden had a Gender Wage Gap of 11.22 %, ranking #23 out of 53 countries. This figure is notably better than the global average, reflecting Sweden's commitment to gender equality in the workplace. Factors contributing to this gap include the prevalence of women in part-time roles and the concentration of female workers in lower-paying sectors, despite strong policies promoting equal pay.

5

Liberia

In 2017, Liberia ranked #45 out of 53 countries with a Gender Wage Gap of -5.801 %. This figure indicates that women in Liberia earned more than men, contrasting sharply with the global average where men typically earn higher wages. The unique situation in Liberia can be attributed to the significant presence of women in the workforce, particularly in agriculture and informal sectors, where traditional gender roles are less pronounced.

6

Portugal

In 2017, Portugal ranked #31 globally with a Gender Wage Gap of 5.443 %. This gap is lower than the European Union average, indicating relatively better gender pay equality compared to many of its neighbors. Key factors contributing to this statistic include progressive labor policies and increased female participation in the workforce, particularly in sectors like education and healthcare.

7

Republic of Moldova

In 2017, the Republic of Moldova had a **Gender Wage Gap** of **4.49%**, ranking **#33 out of 53 countries**. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a relatively equitable wage distribution between genders. Contributing factors include Moldova's commitment to gender equality in labor policies and the significant role of women in the workforce, particularly in sectors like education and healthcare, which tend to offer more balanced pay scales.

8

Switzerland

In 2017, Switzerland ranked #21 globally with a Gender Wage Gap of 12.184%. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, highlighting Switzerland's relatively progressive stance on gender pay equity compared to some neighboring countries. Factors contributing to this gap include a strong emphasis on vocational training and gender diversity initiatives within Swiss companies, which aim to promote equal opportunities in the workforce.

9

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic ranked #49 out of 53 countries with a Gender Wage Gap of -7.469 % in 2017. This figure indicates that women earned slightly more than men, contrasting with many countries where men typically earn more. The country’s unique labor market dynamics, including a significant presence of women in tourism and services, contribute to this trend, alongside ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in the workforce.

10

Spain

In 2017, Spain had a Gender Wage Gap of 12.5 %, ranking #19 out of 53 countries. This figure is below the European Union average, indicating a moderate disparity in earnings between men and women. Key drivers of this gap in Spain include sectoral employment differences, with women often concentrated in lower-paying sectors, and ongoing challenges in achieving equal representation in leadership roles.

Data Source

Gender wage gap, 2025

The dataset "Gender wage gap, 2025" from Our World in Data presents country-level statistics on the differences in average wages between genders, utilizing data from the International Labour Organization (ILO). It aims to provide insights into wage disparities across various countries and regions over time.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Gender Wage Gap data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

More Economy Facts