The wage gap between men and women in the Netherlands is shrinking because men are earning less, according to new research by wage assessment website the Monsterboard jobs platform.

The difference in average wages has now gone down to 5.8%, the organisation says. Women’s average wage of €13.86 an hour remained unchanged last year while men’s pay went down from €15.19 to €14.72.

The difference is sharpest at a managerial level, particularly in financial services and IT, the survey shows. Male managers are likely to earn 20% more than their female equivalents.

‘The reduction in the pay gap is a positive sign,’ Monsterboard director Gian Zandona told news agency ANP. ‘The gap that remains is largely due to the fact that many women take a carrier break or work part-time.’