UK Gender Pay Gap 2026 — Women Earn 14.3% Less
The UK gender pay gap — how much less women earn than men, by sector, industry and region. Live counter showing the cumulative pay gap ticking up in real time.
Gender Pay Gap by Sector — UK 2026
| Sector | Gender Pay Gap (median) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Insurance | 26% | Highest gap — male-dominated senior roles |
| Construction | 24% | Male-dominated profession |
| IT & Technology | 17% | Fewer women in senior tech roles |
| Manufacturing | 15% | Historically male-dominated |
| All sectors (overall) | 14.3% | ONS ASHE 2025 figure |
| Retail | 13% | Part-time concentration |
| Education | 9% | Female-dominated but gap persists |
| NHS / Healthcare | 6% | NHS pay scales reduce gap |
| Public Administration | 5% | Standardised pay structures |
About the UK Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is the difference between average earnings of men and women across the workforce. The UK's overall median gender pay gap is 14.3% (ONS ASHE 2025) — meaning women earn approximately 85.7 pence for every £1 men earn.
Equal pay (paying men and women differently for the same work) is illegal under the Equality Act 2010. The gender pay gap is different — it reflects the fact that men and women are concentrated in different roles and sectors, and that women are more likely to work part-time and take career breaks for caring responsibilities.
UK companies with 250+ employees are required to publish their gender pay gap data annually. This mandatory reporting was introduced in 2017 and has increased transparency. The gap has been narrowing — it was over 25% in the 1970s — but progress has been slow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gender pay gap in the UK?
The UK gender pay gap is 14.3% (median, 2025 ONS ASHE data). This means women earn approximately 85.7 pence for every £1 earned by men. The gap varies significantly by sector — it is highest in finance (26%) and lowest in public administration (5%).
Why is there a gender pay gap in the UK?
The gender pay gap exists for several reasons: women are more likely to work part-time, women are concentrated in lower-paid sectors, there are fewer women in senior roles, and women more often take career breaks for childcare. Equal pay (different pay for the same work) is illegal — the gap reflects structural differences in the labour market.
Is the gender pay gap getting smaller?
Yes, slowly. The UK gender pay gap has narrowed from over 25% in the 1970s to 14.3% today. However, progress has slowed in recent years. At the current rate of improvement, some analysts estimate the gap will not close entirely until 2050 or later.