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Gender equality in the workplace is a global problem, and a new study finds that while most countries in the European Union have improved since 2010, progress appears to be at a standstill.
Where in the world? The Gender Equality Index, released by the European Institute for Gender Equality on Dec. 10, found that overall gender equality in the European Union has improved by 7.9 points since 2010, to 71 out of 100. The latest data, informed by examining progress from 2021–2022, shows that while women advanced in areas like education, gender equality in the workplace has “stagnated,” and has only increased by 0.4 points since 2021, to 74.2.
Some countries, like Sweden, have seen more advancement than others. Sweden had the highest score, at 85 out of 100, while Italy ranked lowest, at 65.5. While Portugal had the best progress since 2010, it was the only country that lost ground in 2022, by 0.2%, because women are more likely to have lower quality jobs. Even that slight decline was enough to bring the country down from ninth to 14th place for gender equality.
Overall, there are fewer women in the workforce than men, and the employment gap for women with children is 26%. In less than a decade, the employment gap has grown by 9% for single parents, while it’s narrowed for people without children.
“Gender equality is the foundation for a stronger Europe. The 2024 Index shows progress is possible, but we’ll only maintain that with bold, sustained action,” Carlien Scheele, director of the European Institute for Gender Equality, said in a statement. “Once and for all, we must realise that gender equality is a solution to our biggest societal challenges. For building stronger and more cohesive societies.”
Satellite view. While the European Union has a ways to go to achieve gender equality in the workplace, its countries may be moving more quickly than those in other geographies. While 98 countries have equal pay laws, 27 don’t protect women against employment discrimination, according to a March 2024 report from the World Bank.
The US largely uses a piecemeal approach to gender equality. Several states, including California, Washington, and Hawaii, have pay transparency laws, which many believe will help narrow the pay gap. However, those goals haven’t panned out yet, and the US saw the pay gap increase in 2023 for the first time in 20 years, HR Brew previously reported.
For now, progress for women at work appears to be a constant uphill battle.