UK Gender Pay Gap Statistics
Live UK gender pay gap counter 2026. Women earn approximately 14.3% less than men — equivalent to working for free from mid-November each year. Watch the cumulative gap tick in real time from ONS data.
About These Statistics
Women in the UK earn approximately 14.3% less than men on a median hourly basis, according to ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data. This means that in terms of median hourly pay, women effectively work for free from mid-November each year — a concept known as Equal Pay Day. The gap has narrowed significantly from approximately 27% in 1997, but progress has slowed in recent years.
The gender pay gap is not simply a matter of equal pay for equal work — though unlawful pay discrimination does still occur. Much of the gap is explained by structural factors: women are more likely to work part-time (particularly after having children), more likely to work in lower-paid sectors such as care, education and hospitality, and more likely to take career breaks. When like-for-like comparisons are made, a residual unexplained gap of approximately 3-5% persists.
The motherhood penalty is a key driver. Women's earnings relative to men's fall sharply after the birth of a first child and recover only slowly over subsequent years. Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that 12 years after having a first child, women's hourly wages are approximately 33% lower than men's who have similar characteristics, compared to approximately equal wages before children.
Large employers (250+ employees) are required to report their gender pay gap annually under the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017. The majority of large employers report a median pay gap in favour of men. Financial services, technology and construction have some of the largest gaps. Healthcare and education tend to have smaller gaps.
The government's approach to closing the gap includes shared parental leave, free childcare expansion, and pay transparency measures. Critics argue that structural barriers — including the undervaluation of care work, inadequate affordable childcare and lack of flexible working — require more fundamental policy intervention to address the root causes.
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Based on official UK government data
What is the gender pay gap in the UK?
The UK gender pay gap stands at approximately 14.3% on a median hourly basis according to ONS ASHE data — meaning women earn approximately 14.3% less per hour than men. The gap has narrowed from approximately 27% in 1997 but progress has slowed. When comparing like-for-like roles, a residual unexplained gap of approximately 3-5% persists.
Why does the gender pay gap exist in the UK?
The UK gender pay gap is caused by multiple factors including: occupational segregation (women concentrated in lower-paid sectors); the motherhood penalty (women's earnings fall sharply after having children); part-time working patterns; career breaks; and some residual unexplained pay discrimination. The Institute for Fiscal Studies found women's wages are approximately 33% lower than comparable men's 12 years after having a first child.
Are UK employers required to report the gender pay gap?
Yes. Employers with 250 or more employees must report their gender pay gap annually under the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017. They must report median and mean hourly pay gaps, bonus pay gaps, and the proportion of men and women in each pay quartile. The majority of large employers report a median pay gap in favour of men.