The wage gap between men and women in the Netherlands continues to shrink, with the average hourly rate paid to women now just 10.5% below that paid to men, according to new calculations by the national statistics agency, the CBS.

In 2010, the pay gap was 19%, the CBS said.

Last year, men earned an average of €30.32 an hour and women €27.15. The pay gap is smallest in public administration and education and largest in the financial services sector.

Looking at gross salaries, men earned an average of 32% more than women, but most of this is due to the popularity of part-time work among women in particular. The increase in the minimum wage has also had a beneficial effect because women are more likely to be on low pay scales.

Women aged between 25 and 30 now earn a little more per hour on average than their male peers, and the pay gap between men and women in their 30s is marginal, the CBS said.