Pakistan remains with a significant gender difference difference (GPG), where women earn significantly less than men, according to a recent report from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The difference in wages places Pakistan among the countries with the highest GPG globally, especially in terms of employment rates between men and women.

The report reveals that Pakistan’s GPG is 25% based on hourly wages, with women earning RS750 for every RS1,000 earned by men. When considering monthly wages, the gap increases to approx. 30%, partly because of women who work fewer hours on average.

The report emphasizes that a significant part of this gap cannot be attributed to differences in factors such as education, age or skills, suggesting potential discrimination in the labor market.

In comparison with other South Asian nations, Pakistan’s GPG remains especially higher. Sri Lanka’s GPG based on hourly wage is 22%, while Nepals stands at 18%and Bangladesh reports a negative gap of -5%.

However, the report notes a slight reduction in Pakistan’s GPG over the years when the figure had been as high as 33% in 2018.

GPG in Pakistan is less pronounced in the formal economy where it is almost insignificant. However, the gap is expanded significantly in the informal and household sectors with differences of over 40%.

The report also indicates that compliance with labor legislation in the formal sector, especially in the public sector, helps to narrow the pay gap.

Despite international conventions such as ILOS equal remuneration Convention (1951), which requires equal wages for equal work, the gender payment gap continues, which emphasizes a continuous inequality between men and women in the workforce.