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Women make up 77% of Europe's health workforce but earn 19% less per hour than men — and the gap only grows at higher pay levels. A new WHO report finds the disparity can't be explained away by hours worked, age, or education. The problem is global, with similar patterns documented in Canada and the US.
Women are the backbone of Europe's healthcare system — making up nearly 77% of the health and social care workforce — yet they're consistently paid less than their male colleagues. A new WHO Regional Office for Europe report, drawing on data from 43 countries, found that women earn 19% less per hour and 28% less per month than men. Crucially, the gap isn't explained by working fewer hours, being younger, or having less education. As WHO's Natasha Azzopardi Muscat put it directly: "Women are being paid less for the same work and passed over for the roles that pay more."
The problem isn't unique to Europe. Similar patterns have been documented in Canada and the US, where specialties with growing female representation saw slower pay growth, and the adjusted gender pay gap remains widest among highly qualified professionals like physicians.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: The financial consequences compound over a lifetime — lower pensions, reduced financial security, and higher poverty risk for women who've spent careers caring for others. The WHO is calling for stronger equal pay laws, gender-disaggregated wage data, and removal of structural barriers blocking women from higher-paying leadership roles.
