On 7 June, the deadline for transposing the Pay Transparency Directive across the EU was reached. Fairness is not just a value. It is also an economic strength: the countries that champion gender equality are also the most competitive. EU treaties are clear that equal work deserves equal pay, regardless of whether it is performed by a woman or a man. Furthermore, nearly nine out of ten Europeans agree that it is unacceptable for women to be paid less than men for the same work.
Yet, the gender pay gap persists across the Union, with the latest Eurostat data showing that, on average, women’s gross hourly earnings were 11.1% below those of men in the EU. This is due to a complex range of factors, such as the undervaluation of roles traditionally occupied by women and gender stereotypes which have an impact on education, hiring, promotions and wages.
In force since 2023, the Pay Transparency Directive helps make the right to equal pay a reality. The Directive helps employers assess whether their pay structures comply with the principle of equal pay in practice, and supports workers by establishing a clear framework for the application of the concept of ‘work of equal value’ based on criteria that include skills, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. Furthermore, it will help employers attract and retain talent by establishing clearer and fairer remuneration practices. Pay transparency will empower workers and help tackle discrimination, whilst giving European companies a competitive edge.
Since the preparation stages of the proposal, the Commission has worked closely with Member States and key stakeholders to promote equal pay. After the adoption of the proposal in 2023, the Commission has been supporting implementationof the Directive with more than €3.8 million dedicated under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) to support pay transparency measures in Member States, as well as a further €5 million under the recently closed 2026 call for proposals to promote gender equality. The Commission will continue to support national authorities, companies and workers to make equal pay a reality across our Union.
