Romania's Gender Pay Gap Remains Below €1,000 Annually

In Romania, the gender pay gap is notably lower than in many other European countries, with women earning less than men by less than €1,000 per year. This figure stands in stark contrast to the average pay disparity across the European Union, where women earn 11.1% less than their male counterparts.

For every €100 earned by men in the EU, women take home only €88.90. This gap results in an annual loss of over €358 billion for approximately 92.5 million working women across Europe, who earn, on average, nearly €3,900 less than men each year.

Luxembourg shines as the only EU member where women earn more than men, with a yearly surplus of approximately €474 for female workers. However, the situation is far less favorable in countries like Finland and Germany, where women lose over €5,000 and €6,049 annually, respectively, due to pay disparities.

Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating it is unacceptable for women to endure decades of wage discrimination. The EU's upcoming Directive on Pay Transparency aims to tackle these inequalities, applying to companies with at least 100 employees, and must be enforced by June 7, 2026.

A reduction of just 10% in the pay gap could significantly benefit women. For instance, a woman could earn an additional €672 annually if the disparity were decreased. The most substantial gains are projected for women in France and Ireland, who could see increases of €1,069 and €1,033, respectively.

Despite the progress in some areas, the gender pay gap varies greatly across the EU, ranging from a minimal 0.8% in Luxembourg to a staggering 18.8% in Estonia. Addressing this issue remains a crucial step toward achieving gender equality in the workplace.