Chart of the Week: Equal Pay Remains a Global Issue

IMF Blog, August 6, 2018

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Some countries have made progress in reducing inequality in access to health care, education, and financial services, but worldwide men still have more economic opportunities than women.
The chart measures differences between men and women’s pay and accounts for hours worked, type of employment, education levels, age and experience.
Developing and advanced countries alike show significant wage gaps.
The wage gap is most pronounced in South Korea, which has a "37 percentage point" difference in wages between men and women.
The United States and Canada "hover at around an 18 percentage point disparity".
Luxembourg has a "3 percent point wage gap".
The G7 "has a wage gap average of about a 16 percentage points".
Gender inequality is directly linked to income inequality, weakening the sustainability of growth. Women getting paid less than men contributes to income inequality, unequal pensions and savings, and higher gaps in labor force participation rates amplify inequality of earnings.

Countries can fix the problem with the right policies that reduce the gender wage gap and level the playing field.
To reduce gender inequality and wage gaps, countries should focus on policies that:
- improve education,
- improve health,
- improve infrastructure,
- increase financial inclusion,
- promote equal rights.

Offer publicly financed parental leave schemes. Long absences from the workforce to take care of children could lead to lower earnings upon return to work, as well as a reduced skill set.
Remove the tax burden for secondary earners (mostly female). Replace family taxation with individual taxation.
Use tax credits or benefits for low wage earners. These tax credits would reduce the net tax liability and increase the net income gain from accepting a job.

Chart of the Week: Equal Pay Remains a Global Issue — The Editors, August 6, 2018

本周图表：男女同工同酬依然是一个全球性问题; IMF博客; 2018 年8 月6 日
- 本周图表：男女同工同酬依然是一个全球性问题; IMF博客; 2018 年8 月6 日 (Markdown version)
- 本周图表：男女同工同酬依然是一个全球性问题; IMF博客; 2018 年8 月6 日 (PDF)
今週のグラフ: 男女の同一賃金は今もグローバル課題; IMF ブログ; 2018年8月6日
- 今週のグラフ: 男女の同一賃金は今もグローバル課題; IMF ブログ; 2018年8月6日 (Markdown version)
- 今週のグラフ: 男女の同一賃金は今もグローバル課題; IMF ブログ; 2018年8月6日 (PDF)
Диаграмма недели: равная оплата остается глобальной проблемой; Блог МВФ; 6 августа 2018 года
- Диаграмма недели: равная оплата остается глобальной проблемой; Блог МВФ; 6 августа 2018 года (Markdown version)
- Диаграмма недели: равная оплата остается глобальной проблемой; Блог МВФ; 6 августа 2018 года (PDF)