Pay gap shrinks, young women earn more per hour than men

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.