There is still no equal pay for equal work in the European labour market.
85% confidence
EqualityEuropean Union
Omissions
Eurostat's 11.1% figure for 2024 is the UNADJUSTED gender pay gap (average gross hourly earnings of men vs women across the whole economy). The European Commission itself states that 'the gender pay gap measures a broader concept than pay discrimination', so the figure does not by itself establish unequal pay strictly for identical work of equal value.
The gap has been narrowing: the EU average fell from 11.7% in 2023 to 11.1% in 2024, and from roughly 16% in 2011, so the direction of travel is towards, not away from, pay equality.
Country dispersion is wide: in 2024 Luxembourg recorded a negative gap (-0.8%, women earning slightly more), while Estonia recorded the highest at 18.8%.
The Eurostat Statistics Explained article was data-extracted in February 2026 (2024 reference data), i.e. it is the most recent official figure available before the 2026-10-05 session.
Sources
PrimaryEurostat — Statistics Explained: Gender pay gap statisticsIn 2024, the average unadjusted gender pay gap in the EU was 11.1%. ... For the economy as a whole, in 2024, women's gross hourly earnings were on average 11.1% less than those of men in the European Union (EU); 11.4% in the euro area. Across EU countries, the gender pay gap varied by 19.6 percentage points, ranging from -0.8% in Luxembourg to 18.8% in Estonia. Data extracted in February 2026.
PrimaryEuropean Commission — The gender pay gap situation in the EUThe gender pay gap measures a broader concept than pay discrimination and comprehends a large number of inequalities women face in access to work, progression and rewards. ... Sectoral segregation: Around 24% of the gender pay gap is related to the overrepresentation of women in relatively low-paying sectors, such as care, health and education.
SecondaryStatista — Gender pay gap in Europe by country 2024Men in the European Union earned approximately 11 percent more than women in 2024, with Estonia having the biggest gender pay gap of almost 19 percent and Luxembourg having the lowest at minus 0.8 percent. Survey time period: From 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024.