Greek Wage Analysis Reveals Gender, Sector, and Education Disparities

An analysis by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) identified pervasive wage disparities between men and women, income discrepancies across professional sectors, and differences linked to educational attainment, across the Greek labor market.

The data revealed that wages were highest in the financial sector, insurance activities, and professional-scientific fields. In contrast, the lowest wages were found in food services, entertainment, and auxiliary services. Statistics also depicted that gender-based pay disparities favor men, across most sectors, ranging from 8.6% to a staggering 40.5%.

Figures regarding women employed in accommodation, food services, entertainment, and recreation were particularly concerning. It is revealed that women are paid near-poverty annual wages of 10,699 euros to 11,865 euros, with their male counterparts earning slightly more.

The wage gap between the two sexes is also associated with education levels. The only area where male and female wages align was in industrial machinery operation and assembly professions. The only sector where women out-earned men by 6.1% were in water supply, waste management, and sanitation professions.

The study revealed that even amongst the best salaried employees men were better paid than women. As data indicated the highest average annual gross wages were recorded in financial and insurance activities standing at 40,086 euros for men and professional, scientific, and technical activities reaching 32,249 euros for women. Men in professional, scientific, and technical activities earned 38,867 euros, and women in financial and insurance activities earned 32,078 euros.

During the same year, the highest wages for holders of master’s or doctoral degrees were in mining and quarrying, while the lowest were in education. For university and technical school graduates, the best-paid sector was professional, scientific, and technical activities, and the worst was arts and recreation.

For high school and vocational school graduates, the highest earnings were in electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, while the lowest were again in arts and entertainment, consistent across education levels.

The highest-paid professions in 2022 were senior management and executive positions, followed by various professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers. However, it is also interesting to note that leadership roles remained predominantly male at a percentage of 57.3%, primarily in the 36–54 age group.

Source: tovima.com