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IN IRELAND, ON average, women are paid less than men.
This statement is true – last year, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated average hourly earnings for men were almost 10% higher than for women.
However, it is also often a major source of controversy, with different claims over exactly why men tend to earn more and how the differences between the genders arise.
So, here is a quick rundown on what the gender pay gap is, how it’s measured and what it tells us.
The gender pay gap refers to the difference in earnings between men and women.
While women are generally found to be paid less than men, theoretically the gap can apply both ways, measuring if women earn more.
Internationally, the gap can be measured in a few different ways and by different organisations, such as Eurostat, which can cause confusion.
To keep things simple, we will focus on how it is measured in Ireland.
The CSO publishes ‘Structure of Earnings’ data which includes a section looking specifically at the gender pay gap.
It compares hourly earnings for men to those versus women. The most recent survey, for 2022, found that on average, men worked 35.7 hours per week and were paid €27.73 per hour.
On average, women worked 30.1 hours and were paid €25.06 per hour – a difference of 9.6%, which is the current best measure of the gender pay gap in Ireland.
This has slowly narrowed over the last decade, with CSO figures indicating the gap was around 13% in 2013.
One of the most important things to understand about gender pay gap reporting – what it does not measure.
In Ireland, at least, it does not look at whether men are paid more than women for doing the same job.
Simply, the CSO calculates the earnings of all male workers. Then it works out the same for all female workers.
All data relates to gross income, ie, before taxes.
It then looks at how many hours each person worked. Then it divides the gross earnings by the number of hours worked, to get average earnings per hour.
Average earnings per hour for women are then compared against men. The difference between the two is the gender pay gap.
This means the CSO data is very high level.
Again to stress – this does not even look at how men and women are paid for doing the same role.
It is a general overview of how much men and women are paid for all jobs across the economy.
It shows that men typically earn more than women on an hourly basis.
Some clues as to why are contained in more data published by the CSO this week – the ‘Distribution of Earnings by Gender’ survey for 2022, which found that high earners are far more likely to be male.
Of those in the top 10% of earners nationwide last year, 70.3% were men while just 29.7% were women.
In the top 1%, the split is even wider – 74.8% were men, while women accounted for just 25.2%.
This is despite the fact that there was a relatively even divide of workers – 51.3% of all employees were male and 48.7% were female.
The division held true for all 13 sectors of the economy measured by the CSO, with men accounting for at least 65% of those in the top 1% of earners in every single economic sector.
Unusually for the CSO, which tends to present its data with minimal commentary, it highlighted earnings in the ‘Education’ and ‘Human Health & Social Work sectors’.
Both are dominated by women, who account for about 75% of the workforce in each sector.
In both sectors, the top 10% of earners was relatively even, although skewed slightly in favour of men at 54% to 46%.
But in the top 1% of earners, in ‘Health and Social Work’ some 65% were men while in Education, 71% were men.
The information shows that there is a gap between how much men and women earn and that the difference tends to become more pronounced the higher up the income ladder you go.
But trying to find out why is where things get messy.
One of the reasons commonly given for why men tend to earn more than women is because they work in higher paid sectors.
Men are more likely to gravitate to tech or finance, which tend to be higher paid, while women dominate lower paid sectors such as education – so the logic goes.
This is partially true at best.
While there are more men in technology, in finance the gender split is about equal. And even in sectors where women dominate, such as education, the higher earners still tend to be men.
Coming back to hours worked may be a better explainer. On average, men work just over 5.5 hours more than women per week.
This is likely due to several factors, such as women taking maternity leave and being more likely to work part-time than men.
However, the extent to which men dominate the top 1% of all earners, especially in majority-female sectors such as education, suggests the lack of women in the highest paying roles also plays a significant role.
As the 9.6% figure is based on an average, it is more likely to be influenced by a smaller number of high earners.
This was one of the reasons behind legislation forcing larger companies to publish gender pay reporting information.
A report published earlier this month by executive search firm Spencer Stuart found that women hold 37% of positions in the 20 largest companies on the Irish stock exchange. But when looking at just executive roles on boards – normally the highest-paying jobs – female representation drops to 13%.
This again hints at possible structural issues preventing women from reaching top executive roles and could go some way to explaining the country’s persistent gender pay gap.
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Take gender out of it and the stats show a person that works 5 days (35.7 hrs) is paid more than one that works 4 days (30.1). Hardly surprising
@tidASeIe: it’s not worked out like that, hourly pay is the point.
@downburst1: the gender pay gap is an illusion from crazy feminists that has been debunked so many times. They believe they should be paid the same amount of money when starting a job as someone who has worked there 10+ years. Ridiculous
@pBDSiMMi: lol
@downburst1: The crux of it is that if a man and a woman are doing the exact same job they should both get the same pay. We are all equal and should be treated accordingly.
One aspect of our employment laws that should be abolished is Zero Hour contracts, they exploit indiscriminately.
@Mr Inbetween: your point is correct and legally binding but should a person working part time get the same hourly rate as someone working full time ??
@pBDSiMMi: tell me you don’t understand what the gender pay gap means without telling me you don’t understand what the gender pay gap means!!
@SYaxJ2Ts: ah there’s Kevin in all his glory. Tell me you don’t come here to troll without telling me you don’t come here to troll.
Mmm,37.5 hr working week. I’m gona change career next year. That’s 20hrs less than I do a week.
The pay gap only exists for the top 10%, it’s nonexistent for the other 90%
It doesn’t exist
@Alan B: Murray has many friends…
Jon, Mary, Bobby, Paul, Peter, Boris, etc.
@KTH: I’m hugely popular:)
@Alan B: attack the point not the person
@Murray peter: hugely popular with yourself and your multiple troll accounts
@mainmsam: he’s a troll with multiple accounts changing names talking to himself and looking to get a rise out people
@CP:
And yet so many of you bite all the time !
@CP: so why drop to his level. There’s never any need to get personal. If you don’t like what a person has to say hit the mute button
@mainmsam: when did I drop to his level? I didn’t get personal, merely letting you know what your replying to and you mute him yourself aswell
@mainmsam: it only works on the app
@CP: didn’t mean specifically you CP
@CP: I am truly awesome :)
How it’s calculated : ‘ the CSO calculates the earnings of all male workers. Then it works out the same for all female workers.’… that’s says it all about that so called study…
The only gender pay gap that actually means anything, is if someone doing the exact same job and same hours, is getting paid less than someone else and the only difference between them is their gender.
This alleged gender pay gap is only framed as an issue when it’s from the female perspective, you don’t hear reports or read articles about men working in low paid manual labour roles, complaining that the female office staff working for the same company are getting paid more than them.
Yawn × 250
@Pato: well we all know your a women hater by your previous comments…so yawn back at ya
@Clare Power: oh look an angry feminist lol
@Murray peter: how many profiles have u now got…super troll
Now do the “pay gap” in construction!
@mainmsam: why?
@SYaxJ2Ts: because that would be an extremely interesting stat Kevin
@mainmsam: Righto
@SYaxJ2Ts: why do you just come here to disagree and be awkward
@mainmsam: no point. That would only give more fuel to the argument. Because a secretary answering the phones in the office for 35 hous a week won’t be paid the sane as the qualified trade working 40 hours on the site, but technically she works in construction so her pay will be compared to the man out doing the physical work. I don’t know why they don’t fo like for like grade for grade analysis on pay, at least if they were honest and transparent with the stats they would garner more support.
By doing it accross the board and drawing comparison between the gap of a ceo and a cleaner or a trade and a teacher it is to do one of two things, either to stoke division or to manufacture jobs for themselves to make their jobs seem relevant.
@mainmsam:
He’s a troll, aligned to the wrong side of every argument.
@mainmsam: I just see any benefit to your suggestion. Perhaps I could if you explained some more
@SYaxJ2Ts: * don’t see
@Kangaroo Kev: interesting how you see the woman as the secretary rather than the engineer or surveyor
@SYaxJ2Ts: you replied to the reason already
@mainmsam: I’m not being awkward. I clearly see things differently to you and most of the commentators here. That’s life
@Regular John: ah it’s irregular John
@SYaxJ2Ts:
You can say that again !
Galway Hotel catches fire, this climate change is very concerning
@Boris Blank: you are not super rasist and not welcoming fellow people in need of free accommodation and social welfare package that is the best in whole world. Medical cards, hospital appointments and you name it…. Who would not want that? Maybe people slaving here and getting taxed left and right to be able to achieve the budget…
@BigEd: nothing stopping you from signing on and showing us the good life you can get on the dole. Put your money where you mouth is
@Martin Mongan: why do you think he isn’t on the dole. Posts all day every day.
@Martin Mongan: not on dole….i am part of the famous middle class slaving 45h a week barely making ut…. 20 years working…. Have good few people well capable but not willing to move finger for more then 15h so they dont loose benefits… My parents did not raised to suck the bottle all life…
@BigEd: I didn’t say you were on the dole. I told you to go on the dole since according to you it’s the land of milk and honey. So go show us all how great people have it on the dole.
so in a hospital setting the consultants would be in the majority male, the cleaning staff female so there is a pay gap between the 2, is the answer to pay them both the same, as that is the only way to remove the pay gap. It’s a nonsense and this seems to be exercising a lot of our female politicians and womens groups.
@The next small thing: the question that is worth asking in your scenario is why are the doctors male and cleaners female. Nobody is suggesting that doctors and cleaners should be paid the same
This article seems to be stating that, in Ireland, there are no official data to suggest that the gender pay gap actually exists. Of course, people who work more hours earn more: overtime and unsocial hours etc. Also most of the workers in manual, difficult jobs that pay well are men. Few women are crazy enough to sacrifice social and family life completely so as to make it to the top of their profession and make the big bucks. Most men don’t either, just the tiny minority who make up the highest earners.
All in all, a positive news article today in The Journal. I’m glad that it would appear that Irish women are likely at worst get paid the same pay as men for the same work, as there is no data, at least as far as the author could find to suggest the contrary.
If that was the case then only women would be hired as they’d be cheaper to employ?
@SOCOMJON: No. I suggest you read the article
@SYaxJ2Ts: Why? It’s the same old clap trap
I think important points to know would be 1. how many woman vs. men apply for the top jobs 2. in areas like tech and finance, is there a difference in numbers of men and women in say engineering, programming, hedge funds vs say HR, admin, support roles within those sectors. Obviously the former will pay a lot more because they have more added value. It’d be interesting see what a similiar breakdown would be for say height or hair colour. No two groups will have statistically identical outcomes. no matter what the two groups are you choose.
If you’re not getting paid as much as someone else you probably need to up your game.
When a lobster that has just lost a battle is exposed to serotonin, it will stretch itself out, advance even on former victors, and fight longer and harder.
@Pól Pot: LOL. You forgot about being precise.
As soon as females are able to lift bag if spuds we can talk about equality….
@BigEd: that’s not really hard to be real… a bag of spuds do you think we never go grocery shopping LOL
@Breanna Mcgrath:
I think he’s probably referring to an 8 stone bag of spuds. 50 kg like.
Mind The Gap
Israeli dirt
@Happy As Larry: Hamas filth
@Happy As Larry: Terrorist lover dirt.
@Happy As Larry: Would you also be as happy to generalize the actions of a Government to the whole of its people in other contexts. For example, polls have shown that a vast majority of the palestinian population support the Hamas attacks on Oct 7th and you know what that involved. It’d be ok then in your mind on a public forum to use the word “dirt” alongside the term palestinian or any other nationality for that matter? I don’t think so and I don’t you would either.
@Tom D: any chance you could link that poll?
@Tom D: listen Tom Isreal are dirt simple as stole the land killed more people in two months than Russia did in two year Jesus they even kill their own blood hungry savages is what they are and so are the people who support them and I stand by my comment til the day I die they talk bout holocost look what they doing in Palestine ffs they really are illegal settlers simple as just like the English who helped them found the state how many countries including our own did the colonise and slaughter indigenous populations just like the Israeli dirt are doing they should be hung and quartered simple ass can’t wait to hear your reply lots of luv free palastine
@Happy As Larry: as
@Happy As Larry: stole land in Gaza? Perhaps you could tell us the history of the state of Palestine, you could even compare it to Israel. Something tells me you are utterly clueless on this, but hey, prove me wrong.
@BanIslam.: Isreal are dirt simple as and tis a nice way of putting it they talk about holocost and look at what they do to the Palestinian people they have no right they are just as bad as hitler in my opinion killing there own and all says it all about them
@Paul Fahey: listen and I tell you I can easily say that any land in this world was my family’s thousands of years ago but tis as simple as this stop living in the past Gaza was always Palestine just like the north of Ireland is always Ireland no matter how much you say it’s not it actually is simple as and I bet you anything u like says this ain’t gonna stop and who can blame the palastians tbh I know I can’t being honest maybe you listening to too much msm tbh and Isreal even killed two innocent women seeking refuge in a church really? But you think they done nothing wrong snap out of it will you please Isreal is not liked did you ever hear what happens to Jewish people in Ireland back the turn of the century look it up educate yourself instead of believing everything your told
@Paul Fahey: they condemn hitler but in my opinion they just as bad if not worse
@Paul Fahey: and btw don’t be trying to tell me what I know and don’t ok I know enough about the conflict in Gaza to give my unbiased opinion and that’s what I did so why don’t you try explaining to me how I am wrong instead of talking out your hole u muppet
@Paul Fahey: Isreal was founded in 1948 or around that time says it all imo
@Happy As Larry: you clearly know nothing. Try again, when was Palestine founded as a recognised country?
@Paul Fahey: a lot longer than Isreal u muppet they talk bout being the children of god biggest load of cod’s wallop I have ever heard Palestine btw was first mentioned in the 5 century bc even though technically was not found til 88 I think but if u knew your history you would realise Palestine has being mentioned for thousands of years donkey but then again brainwashing has a lot to do with it Isreal set up a council in 48 and plucked it out of thin air that Gaza the West Bank Jerusalem is all there’s really like absolutely shameless race of people despised by quiet a number of people in this world tbh me being one of them they murder innocent women and children but then preach bout god really? Two faced much??? And btw you really should go way and learn bout history educateyourself dope
@Happy As Larry: hmmmmmm, and the 12 Tribes of Israel were first mentioned around 1300 BC, so try again. Now the question was, when was Palestine founded as a recognised country?
@Paul Fahey: Palestine was always there get over it please because nobody in there right mind can condone the actions of Isreal and the military not say was happens in Isreal was not wrong just telling it like it is totally disproportionate simple and if I’m being honest with you I think they have forgotten what it is like to be on receiving end of it maybe that’s the problem
@Paul Fahey: under the brits they created Isreal the Jewish home what a load of tripe says it all really look at who they had backing them ha not a decent bone amoung them tbh dirt of the earth simple as anybody can say anywhere was there home thousands of years ago doesn’t make it true or right
@Happy As Larry: nope, as suspected you have no idea and are rambling, odd that.
Funny you should mention a mandate though, keep going.
@Paul Fahey: please enlighten me with your knowledge cause all u keep doing is saying nope or wrong but please tell me how I’m wrong please
@Paul Fahey: shalom dopey
@Paul Fahey: and btw a brother of one of the hostages murdered by his own even said himself he was abandoned and murdered by the Israeli army and government I said it before and I’ll say it again all they are is murderers tbh no concept on life shooting indiscriminate and look what it got them couldn’t have happened a nicer bunch of people
@Paul Fahey: I’m off because I have work early in the morning but look please don’t let that stop u talking shit about Isreal and the Childers of god really lol wake up please
@BanIslam.: honybadger?
Sorry for going off topic,liverpool v man utd,hoping there’s a gap of seven again here today.
@Deano: I’ve gone for a “-2″ handicap…..something I’d normally NEVER go for……but I’m looking forward to a GOALFEST in ANFIELD. Roll on half 4
@Ken Mc Carthy: can’t wait myself Ken,can’t see anything but a liverpool win going on form,but it’s football and if there is a shock we’ll so be it.
@Deano: nah…..won’t be any Christmas ‘suprises’ @ ANFIELD today……. definitely 3points staying on Merseyside. My slight worry is that Liverpool might just ‘park the bus’ after bagging a couple in 1st half & might’nt go for the ‘BIG’ kill- routing. I took the ‘minus 2′ handicap to get any sort of decent odds….but its a v v dodgy bet. The straight win or ‘-1′ odds are awful
Why can’t we comment on this anymore I’ll be uninstalling pathetic journalism
@tara tevlin: it’s not an airport you don’t have to announce your departure lol
Oh, I’m so ashamed to be hung like a donkey
@Boris Blank: not only hung like a donkey but you act like a donkey, you have all the donkey traits.
Complete myths which have been debunked time after time, how many times is this pathetic argument going to keep coming up.
I don’t get it. If it’s not based on the same jobs and same hours… then isn’t it not just giving us data that can be heavily opinionated on!?
@Clare Power. I am bored by nonsense. whereever it originates. To label me as a woman hater is a cheap insult and very wide of the mark
Can you not see that you are taking a leaf out of the fascists playback, just like certain Israelies who label any criticism as “anti semetic”.
Q. What is it?
A. It’s a myth.
Funny how when countries go to war the feminists disappear
@Paul H: Funny how people make ridiculous comments on social media
@SYaxJ2Ts: you are such a beta male lol
@Murray peter:
I’m beginning to doubt he’s male at all !
Whomsoever you are (it doesn’t matter your gender), get it however you can get it until you no longer have to listen to this. Financial transcendence, you will most probably need to leave Ireland tho, unless you’re lucky enough to go straight to the markets.
@Thesaltyurchin: I earn less abroad then I would in Ireland, but crucially my living expenses are half of that compared to what I’d need.
@Martin Mongan: same here. I earned more in Ireland than I do here but when everything is paid I have a lot more left over for myself.
Playbook even
have your say