National briefing: November 2021
The gender pay gap is one measure of the position of women in the economy in comparison to men. It compares the difference in average hourly pay for women and men in the labour market.
The gender pay gap is not simply the result of women being paid less than men for the same job.
It is the result of a combination of economic and social factors that come together to reduce the earning capacity of women across their lifetime.
For example, the unequal division of caring responsibilities within the household means that more women than men work part time.
