The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual data on differences in pay between women and men by age, region, full-time and part-time work, and occupation, as derived from its Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. The ONS analysis of the gender pay gap is calculated as the difference between average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of men and women as a proportion of men’s average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) across all jobs in the UK. It does not compare the pay of men and women performing the same job and is distinct from mandatory gender pay gap reporting.
Key insights from the ONS analysis include:
- The gender pay gap has been declining slowly. Over the last ten years, the pay gap for full-time employees has fallen by approximately a quarter. In April 2024, the pay gap for full-time employees was down to 7%, from 7.5% in 2023.
- The gender pay gap is larger among employees aged 40 and older compared to those under 40. While most age groups saw a decrease in the gap between 2023 and 2024, it increased for employees aged 50 to 59, rising from 11.1% to 12.1%.
- Higher earners experience a larger gender pay gap. The pay gap is 15.5% for full-time employees in the 90th percentile of earners, but it is 7.1% for median earners and 2.7% for employees in the 10th percentile of earners.
- The gender pay gap for full-time employees is higher in all English regions than in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
