Gender Gap Narrows in EU Cultural Sector

In 2024, the gender gap in employment in the EU cultural sector reached its lowest level in the last decade, according to Eurostat data. The difference decreased to 0.8 percentage points, from 6.4 in 2015.

In 16 EU countries, women in the cultural sector outnumber men, with Latvia and Estonia showing the largest differences (32.6 and 24.2 percentage points respectively). Conversely, in 11 countries, men predominate, with Spain and Italy recording the highest rates.

In Greece, Romania, and Austria, the gender difference is minimal. 27.7% of women are self-employed, compared to 35.6% of men. 81.9% of men are employed full-time, while the corresponding figure for women is 70%.

Despite the narrowing of the employment gap, men still earn more money. In 2022, men's gross hourly earnings were on average 13.5% higher than women's in the EU.

Women participate more in cultural activities in all age groups, except for the 65+ age group.