No Improvement in Sight: Women Still Disadvantaged in Wages

Germany ranks 4th in the EU for the largest gender pay gap, which has stubbornly remained at 18% since 2020.

Despite measures like the 2017 Pay Transparency Act, progress has stalled. With 49% of women working part-time — primarily due to caregiving duties — many find themselves trapped in lower-paying sectors or struggling to re-enter higher-paying roles.

Meanwhile, countries like Luxembourg and Romania boast gaps under 5% (Statistisches Bundesamt), proving that a fairer system is possible.