Wage gap, education and wage discrimination

Abstract

[eng] This final degree project examines the gender pay gap in Spain and Europe, focusing on its causes, the educational attainment of women and men, and the wage disparities between public and private companies, as well as between full-time and part-time employment. The project explores the persistent wage gap between genders and aims to identify the underlying factors contributing to this inequality. It investigates potential causes such as occupational segregation, discrimination, differences in educational attainment, and work-life balance issues. Occupational segregation refers to the phenomenon where men and women tend to be disproportionately represented in different job sectors or industries. This results in specific industries being dominated by one gender, while the other gender is underrepresented or excluded from those fields. The educational levels of women and men are analyzed to understand if differences in educational achievements contribute to the gender pay gap. The project also investigates wage disparities between public and private companies, examining if variations in wage practices and policies play a role in perpetuating the gap. Furthermore, the study explores the wage differences between full-time and part-time employment arrangements. It examines whether part-time workers, who are predominantly women, experience significant wage disadvantages compared to their full-time counterparts. The findings of this research have important implications for policymakers, employers, and individuals concerned with gender equality and fair labour practices. By understanding the causes and dynamics of the gender pay gap, appropriate measures can be implemented to promote equal pay for equal work, encourage gender-balanced educational opportunities, and foster equitable wage practices across different sectors and employment arrangements. Overall, this final degree project contributes to the existing knowledge on labour economics by shedding light on the gender pay gap in Spain and Europe. It emphasises the significance of education, workplace policies, and employment arrangements in addressing wage disparities and advancing gender equality in the labour market.