WEALTH March 6, 2026 0 Comments

Ireland’s Game-Changing Move on the Gender Pay Gap That’s Shaking Up the Global Women in Work Race—Are You Ready to Cash In?

Here’s a curveball for you: Ireland just jumped six spots on PwC’s Women in Work Index, landing at an impressive 11th place among 33 OECD countries — and guess what? A shrinking gender pay gap is a big part of the reason why. Now, that’s not just good news; it’s a signal that the Emerald Isle is seriously dialing in on workplace equality, even as the rest of the world hits a slow patch post-pandemic. But here’s the kicker — while Irish women are earning closer to their male counterparts and stepping back into the workforce in higher numbers, full-time female employment took a bit of a nosedive globally, reminding us that progress isn’t always a straight line. So, what’s fueling Ireland’s climb? Supportive policies, forward-thinking businesses, and a tight focus on closing that stubborn pay gap. If you’re wondering how this momentum might rewrite the playbook on inclusion and economic growth, you’re in the right place. LEARN MORE

Ireland has gained six places in the latest Women in Work Index from PwC due in large part to the country’s decreasing gender pay gap.

Out of the 33 OECD countries included in the index, Ireland placed 11th.

The study tracks the progress of women in the workplace across indicators such as pay, participation, unemployment and full‑time employment for women.

This year shows progress across the OECD has slowed to its weakest level since the pandemic, driven by a historic fall in full‑time employment for women and rising unemployment rates.

Eurostat data shows the gap between median female income and median male income in Ireland fell from 11.8% to 8% in 2024 and is now ahead of the OECD average of 12.4%.

“Ireland has performed well in this latest PwC Women in Work Index rankings and reflects a positive movement in the gender pay gap,” said Gerard McDonough, partner in PwC’s workforce advisory practice.

“It should be noted that the narrowing of the gender pay gap for Ireland in the report, determined by Eurostat data, reflects a similar trend as that in Ireland’s Central Statistics Office report.

“Improvements in the gender pay gap enhance the organisation all-round, creating a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.

“This in turn can boost a company’s attractiveness to talent, improve morale, productivity and retention and ensure that diverse viewpoints are factored into decision making across all levels in the organisation.”

Women across OECD countries are returning to work in greater numbers, driven by cost-of-living pressures, while the gender pay gap continues to fall in this year’s report.

However, the global economic slowdown has adversely affected labour demand, leading to increased female unemployment rates and a reduction in full-time employment for women.

Consequently, women’s labour market prospects in OECD nations have shown the smallest improvement since Covid, and in G7 countries they have slightly declined.

Iceland topped the index ahead of Luxembourg, New Zealand, Sweden and Slovenia. The UK ranks in the middle at 17th out, while Australia has moved up to 10th place from 19th in 2020.

Countries at the top feature supportive parental leave and childcare policies. These policies enable women to remain in the workforce, improving progression opportunities.

PwC’s Women in Work Index assesses the progress of women in the workplace across 33 OECD countries.

“The countries that succeed will be those that invest in strong foundations in education and continued skills development,” said Doone O’Doherty, people and workforce tax partner at PwC Ireland.

“Employers have a crucial role in creating clear pathways into work and helping their people continue to learn and adapt. Improving in the Women in Work Index is not only a social imperative – it is an economic one, with billions in potential GDP at stake.”

(Pic: Getty Images)