Gender Pay Gap in France Narrows Slightly but Remains Significant

New data from Insee reveals women in the private sector earn 22.2% less than men on average, with disparities influenced by work volume, career interruptions, and occupational segregation.

In 2023, women in France's private sector earned an average of €21,340 annually, 22.2% less than men's €27,430, representing a €6,090 yearly gap.
While the gender pay gap has shrunk by a third since 1995, progress has been slow, with a reduction of just one percentage point from 2022 to 2023.
Key factors contributing to the disparity include women working 9.3% fewer hours annually, higher rates of part-time employment, and concentration in lower-paying fields.
Even with identical roles and full-time work, women earn 14.2% less than men, with the gap narrowing to 3.8% when comparing equivalent jobs in the same workplace.
The pay gap widens with age and parenthood, with mothers of three or more children earning nearly 41% less than men, reflecting career interruptions and slower advancement.