Why gender equality in EU still 60 years away, latest research reveals

Gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union, yet progress toward full equality remains slow and uneven. Millions of people took to the streets yesterday to advocate for gender equality as the world marked International Women’s Day on March 8.

Unfortunately, ongoing challenges in wages, leadership, and safety continue to hinder women across the EU. Despite years of policy efforts, full gender equality remains a distant goal, projected to take decades to achieve.

What do stats about gender equality tell us?

According to the latest findings from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), at the current rate, it will take approximately 60 years for Europe to reach full gender equality.

The European Gender Equality Index 2024 highlights both achievements and persisting inequalities. While policies and initiatives have led to incremental improvements, gender gaps in employment, wages, leadership, and caregiving responsibilities continue to undermine women’s economic and social standing.

Furthermore, gender-based violence remains a significant issue, affecting millions of women across EU Member States.

Gender Equality Index 2024 findings show systemic barriers

The EU’s overall progress towards gender equality remains fragile. Despite policy advancements, systemic barriers continue to limit opportunities for women, particularly in employment, leadership, and economic independence.

The Gender Equality Index shows the following persistent challenges:

• Employment and wages: Women in the EU continue to face employment inequalities, with significant gender pay gaps across various industries. Despite progress, structural barriers still hinder women’s full participation in the labor market.
• Leadership representation: Women remain underrepresented in decision-making roles, particularly in economic leadership positions.
• Work-life balance: The unequal distribution of unpaid care responsibilities affects women’s career progress, leading to long-term economic disadvantages.
• Gender pension gap: The impact of income disparities over a lifetime contributes to a 26% gender pension gap, increasing the risk of poverty among older women.

Crisis of gender-based violence in European Union

Violence against women remains one of the most pressing human rights concerns in the EU.

The EU Gender-Based Violence Survey 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence and severity of gender-based violence across the region.

Key findings include:

• Prevalence: Stats show that 1 in 3 women (30.7%) in the EU-27 have experienced physical violence, threats, and/or sexual violence over their lifetime.
• Underreporting: Only 1 in 8 women reports incidents to the police, showing gaps in victim support and legal protections.
• Country variations: Finland (57.1%) and Sweden (52.5%) report the highest prevalence of gender-based violence, while Bulgaria (11.9%) and Poland (16.7%) report the lowest levels. However, underreporting remains a significant issue.

• Intimate partner violence: A significant proportion of violence is committed by intimate partners, with 21% of women in the EU reporting abuse by a current or former partner. Economic dependence, social stigma, and fear of retaliation often prevent victims from seeking help. National policies vary, with some countries providing stronger protections and support systems than others.
• Sexual harassment in the workplace: Gender-based violence extends beyond personal relationships. Between 30% and 55% of women in the EU report experiencing sexual harassment at work. This includes unwanted advances, inappropriate remarks, and coercive behaviors that hinder professional growth. Women in male-dominated industries face higher risks, while many cases go unreported because of fear of retaliation or lack of trust in workplace complaint mechanisms.

Strengthening gender equality through EU directives and policies

The European Union has taken significant steps in recent years to reinforce gender equality through legislative measures and policy frameworks.

These efforts focus on addressing gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and unequal access to economic and social opportunities.

Key initiatives include:

• Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which establishes minimum legal standards for defining and criminalizing gender-based violence across all Member States. The directive strengthens legal protections for victims and mandates coordinated national responses.
• The EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights is a strategic framework aimed at enhancing gender equality policies at the national and regional levels, ensuring that all Member States align with EU gender equality objectives.
• Revised anti-trafficking directive, which enhances protections for victims of human trafficking, a crime that disproportionately affects women and girls across the EU.
• Equal Pay Directive, which enforces wage transparency and aims to close the gender pay gap by requiring companies to report on salary differences between male and female employees.

Challenges in enforcement and victim support

Despite these legal advancements, enforcement remains inconsistent across Member States. Specialized support services, such as shelters and helplines, are insufficient in many countries, particularly in rural areas.

In 2023, only 13 of the 27 EU Member States met the minimum standards for victim support services. Many countries lack adequate funding, leaving shelters at capacity and limiting survivors’ access to psychological, financial, and legal assistance.

The cost-of-living crisis has further strained resources, increasing demand for services while reducing available funding. In some areas, waiting times for access to shelters have extended to several months, leaving many women without immediate protection.

Promoting inclusivity and challenging gender biases

Achieving gender equality is not solely about closing wage gaps or increasing representation. It requires a shift in societal attitudes and institutional practices that perpetuate gender biases.

• The role of language and media: Unconscious biases and stereotypes in media coverage influence public perceptions and policy responses to gender-based violence. A 2024 Eurobarometer survey found that 43% of respondents in the EU believe women are at least partially responsible for nonconsensual image sharing, and 27% of men consider workplace harassment acceptable. Media narratives play a crucial role in shaping these attitudes.
• Bias in AI and digital spaces: Gender biases in technology and workplace algorithms contribute to the persistence of inequalities. Studies have shown that AI-driven hiring systems in the EU often rank male candidates higher than equally qualified female candidates because of biased data inputs. Policies to mitigate these biases are essential for ensuring equitable access to opportunities and preventing algorithmic discrimination.

Expanding opportunities for women in the labor market

Women’s participation in the workforce is critical for economic growth. However, gender segregation in key industries remains a challenge:

• STEM, ICT, and healthcare: Women remain underrepresented in high-growth sectors. Only 19% of ICT specialists in the EU are women, and in STEM fields, women account for just 34% of graduates. Barriers include gendered stereotypes, a lack of mentorship, and male-dominated work environments.
• Economic potential: Increasing women’s labor force participation could create up to six million new jobs by 2050, boosting economic stability and innovation. Closing gender employment gaps would increase the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 3–6%, demonstrating the economic imperative of gender equality.

Delays in addressing gender inequality result in missed economic opportunities, continued disparities, and persistent risks for women and girls. The latest EU data highlights the urgency of accelerating progress.

Policymakers, businesses, and individuals must take proactive steps to dismantle barriers, implement effective legal protections, and foster an inclusive environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive.