Why Do Women Earn Less Than Men? The UN Has Answered

Although women make up more than half of the world's population, they still earn significantly less than men in the labor market. According to a new report published by the United Nations, women earn an average of 23 percent less than men. At the same time, women account for just over 31 percent of leadership positions.

According to estimates by the International Labour Organization, only 48 percent of women participated in the formal labor market in 2025. Among men, the figure was 73 percent. These figures show that the gender gap in the labor market still persists.

The report also notes that women continue to shoulder more than three-quarters of unpaid care work and household chores. According to experts, these factors negatively affect women's active participation in the labor market and their advancement to senior positions.

According to the data, women hold nearly 38 percent of management positions and just over 31 percent of leadership positions. In strategically important sectors such as the economy, technology and innovation, the figure is even lower.

Peggi Xiks, a representative of the UN human rights office, said that the path to leadership is not the same for all women.

«For some women, the ladder to leadership is steep. For others, it is broken. For many, it does not exist at all», she said.

The report emphasizes that women face serious obstacles to professional advancement due to inequality in hiring processes, gender stereotypes, harassment and violence in the workplace, as well as the fact that they shoulder a large share of unpaid household work.

Nevertheless, positive changes are being observed in some countries. In Morocco, for example, programs to prepare women for leadership have helped increase the share of women leaders in ministries to nearly 35 percent. In Tanzania, reforms are being implemented to protect the labor rights of domestic workers and strengthen their social protections.

UN experts emphasize that women's active participation in decision-making is important not only for ensuring gender equality, but also for promoting economic growth, improving governance efficiency and ensuring the sustainable development of society.