Belgium on track to close gender pay gap by 2020

Belgium could achieve equal pay for women by 2020, ranking third among EU countries for the speed with which the gender pay gap could be closed, according to a new study.

Expert Market used European Union data from 2007 to 2014 to examine gender pay gap trends across 26 countries using five key economic markers. These included full-time vs part-time employment, public sector vs private sector employment, age group, industry and job type.

By analysing these economic markers and examining average year-on-year changes in the gender pay gap, Expert Market identified the quickest possible pay gap closure year for each country.

Belgium could close achieve this by 2020, but with specific criteria. The gap will close quickest for Belgian women between the ages of 25 and 34, women employed full-time in the private sector or working a clerical support role in government.

Countries and their potential gap closure dates vary within the different economic indicators as well. Belgium has the most consistent results with potential gap closures in the next year or so for women in both full-time and part-time employment. Some countries have already closed the gap for women working full-time, such as Italy and Luxembourg.

Romania ranks first, quickly followed by Poland. Both have a potential pay gap closure year of 2018.

The UK, Portugal and Hungary rank at the very bottom of the list. The earliest possible gap closure date for the UK is 2067 and 2068 for Portugal and Hungary.

There was not sufficient data available for Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece or Malta.