EUROSTAT - Slovakia

Gender Pay Gap in Slovakia: A Summary

The Gender Pay Gap (GPG) in Slovakia has been gradually decreasing over the past two decades. Although there have been improvements, the gap remains above the EU average. This summary provides an overview of trends and factors affecting the GPG in Slovakia.

Historical Context (2002–2012)

In 2002, Slovakia’s GPG was 27.7%, one of the highest in the EU. This wide gap was influenced by the country’s economic transition and structural changes in the labor market. By 2008, the GPG narrowed to approximately 20.9% as Slovakia began shifting toward greater gender equality. From 2008 to 2012, the gap remained stable around 20%, reflecting gradual progress.

Mid-2010s Period (2013–2017)

Between 2013 and 2017, Slovakia’s GPG fluctuated slightly, remaining over 19%. While some progress was made, significant challenges persisted, such as occupational segregation and limited female representation in high-paying industries. The gap reached 20.1% in 2017, highlighting systemic issues that hinder women's career advancement.

Recent Trends (2018–2022)

Since 2018, Slovakia’s GPG has shown more consistent improvement, reaching 17.7% in 2022. Although the gap has narrowed, it remains above the EU average of around 13%. Factors contributing to this progress include policy efforts to promote gender equality and economic factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced the GPG to 15.8% in 2020.

Factors Contributing to Slovakia’s GPG

• Occupational Segregation: Women are concentrated in lower-paid sectors, while higher-paying fields (e.g., IT, engineering) have lower female representation.
• Part-Time and Flexible Work: A lack of flexible work options limits career progression for women balancing family responsibilities.
• Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are underrepresented in executive roles, contributing to the "glass ceiling" effect.
• Social and Policy Factors: Traditional gender roles and limited support for working mothers affect women's career choices and earnings.

Future Outlook

To continue reducing the GPG, Slovakia may benefit from policies that promote STEM careers for women, improve childcare support, increase transparency in pay practices, and encourage more women into leadership roles. Consistent efforts in these areas could help Slovakia achieve gender pay parity closer to the EU average in the coming years.