Female workers in Switzerland are earning 19.3% less than their male counterparts, according to a new Europe-wide survey. The findings also show the gender pay gap is not only rising in Switzerland, but is also one of the biggest in the European Union.
According to the European statistical agency, Eurostat, the average gender pay gap in the EU is 16.4%.
The survey, which was published on March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day, is based on data collected in 2013. It shows the situation is worsening in Switzerland. In 2008, women in Switzerland earned 18.4% less than their male counterparts.
In response to the country’s above-average gender pay gap, former Swiss presidents and government ministers Ruth Dreifus and Micheline Calmy-Rey have signed a manifesto calling for pay equality. More than 3,700 others have also signed it.
According to Eurostat, the widest pay gap is in Estonia (29.9%) and in Austria (23%). Slovenia boasts the best record with a 3.2% pay gap, followed by Malta (5.1%), Poland (6.4%), Italy (7.3%) and Croatia (7.4%).
The findings of the survey also show Switzerland’s wide pay gap is shared by Spain (19.3%) and the United Kingdom (19.7%). Germany has one of the widest gender pay gap (21.6%).