On January 19, 2017, France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) published its report on 2014 annual wage income. The findings highlight persistent gender disparities: women earned 24% less than men on average. Women's average annual income stood at €17,815, compared to €23,398 for men—a gap of €5,168 per year.
This disparity holds even after adjusting for working hours. The study attributes over two-thirds of the gap to differences in full-time equivalent pay rates, with less than one-third due to variations in work volume. The divide grows larger over time: women aged 25-29 earned 11% less than male peers, rising to 22% after age 50. On a positive note, the gap has narrowed since 2009, as women's wages have outpaced men's. Continued progress offers hope.
