You work hard, are highly qualified, and perform your tasks flawlessly? Everything's great, right? But wait, there's a catch: your colleagues doing the same work probably earn more than you! And why? It's actually quite simple, yet rather alarming: the gender pay gap. In Germany , women will earn an average of 17% less per hour than men in 2024. That's €20.84 for HER compared to €25.30 for HIM. This not only feels unfair, but also quite outdated.
The gender pay gap in numbers
If you're looking for the causes of the gender pay gap, you'll quickly come across the "adjusted pay gap." This measures the wage difference between men and women, but only compares exactly the same positions and takes factors like age, qualifications, and professional experience into account. It therefore shows the difference in salaries between men and women in comparable positions. Sounds like a sensible comparison at first, right?
The adjusted pay gap in Germany is around 6% in 2024. That doesn't sound all that dramatic at first. But unfortunately, that's only half the story. The adjusted pay gap overlooks a crucial point: the deeply rooted social and structural inequalities that simply can't be wished away. The adjusted pay gap only shows us part of the reality .
So, let's take a look at the unadjusted gender pay gap. This measures the difference between the average wages of men and women and shows us the harsh but true reality: a massive difference of 17% !
Equal work, unequal pay
When we look at salaries across all professions, industries, and life stages, we are still a long way from true "equal pay." Why? Women often end up in lower-paid "female-dominated" professions like nursing, education, or administration . Men, on the other hand, are concentrated in better-paid fields like technology, construction, and management. The reason for this is, of course, not that men are naturally better suited, but rather stereotypical gender roles and structural inequalities.
But that's not all. Women also face the so-called " motherhood penalty ." What does that mean? Women who become mothers not only experience a loss of income but also an interruption in their careers. They have fewer opportunities for advancement and, due to parental leave or part-time work, also lower pension entitlements.
"Motherhood Penalty": When women become mothers
Imagine you've just had a baby… and now what? What happens to your job and your salary? Unfortunately, the answer is: less money and fewer career opportunities . Women experience the so-called "motherhood penalty," where THEIR pay decreases, THEIR working hours are adjusted, and this impacts THEIR long-term career prospects.
Who takes parental leave when it really matters? That's right, the person with the lower salary, or in other words: the woman. Who reduces their hours to part-time to have more time for the children? Again, usually the woman. When men become fathers, generally… nothing happens. When women become mothers, it usually means an immediate loss of income and a career break, the true "price of motherhood." It's really not fair.
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Takeaways:
- 17% Unadjusted Pay Gap: On average, women earn 17% less than men when all professions and life phases are taken into account.
- 6% Adjusted Pay Gap - Only half the truth: The adjusted pay gap of 6% looks better at first glance, but it ignores important factors such as structural inequalities.
- “Women’s jobs” pay less: Women often end up in lower-paid professions such as nursing or education.
- Motherhood Penalty: Loss of income due to motherhood: Women experience a drastic loss of income when they become mothers, due to part-time work, parental leave and fewer career opportunities.
Sources (as of December 13, 2025):
Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Seniore, Frauen und Jugend - Lohngerechtigkeit
Destatis Statistisches Bundesamt - Gender Pay Gap
Destatis Statistisches Bundesamt - Verdienste nach Branchen und Berufen
IW Köln - Entgeltgleichheit: Welche Ursachen hat der Gender Pay Gap?
IW Köln - Gender Pension Pay Gap: Lehren für die Zukunft?
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung - Gleichstellung und Geschlechtergerechtigkeit
