The patriarchy runs deep': women still getting a raw deal in the workplace as equality remains a dream

"Gender inequality is one of the most entrenched and significant problems of our time, says Jocelyn Chu, a programme director at UN Women, responding to the stark figures contained in this year's World Inequality report, which labels gender inequality a defining and persistent feature of the global economy. Women work longer and earn just a third 32% of what men get per hour, when paid and unpaid labour, such as domestic work, are taken into account."

"Even when unpaid domestic labour is not included, women only earn 61% of what men make, according to the report. Those aged 15 to 64 work 10 hours more a week, on average, than men. They earned just over a quarter (about 28%) in 2025 of total income around the world, a share that has barely shifted over the past 35 years."

Women work longer hours and receive far lower compensation than men when paid and unpaid labour are included. Including unpaid domestic work, women earn roughly 32% of men's hourly value and 61% when unpaid work is excluded. Women aged 15–64 work about ten more hours weekly on average and accounted for about 28% of global income in 2025. The richest 10% hold nearly three-quarters of global wealth while the poorest half hold barely 2%. The largest gender gaps in working hours appear in the Middle East and North Africa, east Asia, and south and south-east Asia. Structural barriers such as lack of affordable childcare, transport, and family leave hinder women's employment and retention.

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