How Gender Inequality Affects People Around the World

Gender inequality is a major issue affecting people throughout the world. It can impact everything from how much a person earns to their social status and ability to access jobs and economic opportunities, including the quality of education they receive, the homes they live in and whether or not they are able to work. Gender inequality is also influenced by class, ethnicity, age and religion. However, gender inequality is most commonly seen as a result of a person’s sex.

Women’s economic status is determined by their gender, and it is one of the most influential factors that can be impacted by policy. The most visible indicator of gender inequality is the wage gap, which is the difference between men’s and women’s earnings. It is often described as a ratio, where the number of men’s dollars earned per dollar is divided by the number of women’s dollars earned per dollar.

For example, a ratio of 80 percent means that on average women make only 77 cents for every dollar that men do. Various groups publish country-specific data on the gender pay gap, and you can see available estimates by using the chart tool below. This chart shows the unadjusted gap, and you can change countries by selecting them from the list in the upper right corner of the chart.

Despite recent progress in gender equality, substantial gaps still exist in all aspects of life. This includes the percentage of women in top income brackets, labor force participation, entrepreneurship and senior/middle management positions. These gaps erode people’s sense of belonging and well-being. In addition, they stifle innovation and impede growth by limiting the pool of potential leaders (Cihak and others, 2018).

Gender inequality also influences health outcomes. A person’s likelihood of dying due to violence or malnutrition is higher if they are a woman (WHO, 2023). This is partly because women are disproportionately affected by poverty and less likely to be able to access medical care or financial resources.

A growing body of research suggests that government policies that address gender inequality can lead to economic benefits. This includes reducing poverty rates, uplifting communities and improving a nation’s GDP (Kochhar and others, 2017).

Closing the gender gap has a positive impact not only on individuals but on society as a whole. When women are successful in the workforce, they help raise productivity and boost a nation’s economy. In addition, studies show that a diverse workplace is more productive than homogenous ones.

Oxfam believes that women and girls should be treated equally regardless of their sex. It is our mission to close the gender pay gap and to promote equal pay for equal work. If you’d like to support our work, please donate. We also need your voice to campaign for policies that ensure that everyone is recognized for their contributions. Learn more about our women’s rights & gender justice work here.