These Countries Are The Very Worst For Women In Europe

In a comprehensive exploration of gender disparities across the European Union, office supplier Viking has cast a revealing spotlight on the status of women in the workplace. The study delves into crucial factors such as salaries, healthcare, pensions, and career opportunities, aiming to unravel the tapestry of gender equality in professional settings. Despite the prominence of top economies in Europe, the findings suggest a disheartening reality: a persistent gap in pay and opportunities, leaving women facing challenges that transcend borders within the EU. Join us as we navigate through the intricate landscape of workplace gender dynamics in Europe, exposing the nuances that demand attention and action. Love reading Culture Trip? How about travelling with us! Our Culture Trips are small-group tours that truly immerse you in a destination through authentic travel experiences. You can also embrace slow travel and the joys of journeying by train on our eco-friendly Rail Trips.

Gender pay gap compared across EU countries

In both the UK and Germany women are paid more than 20% less than their male counterparts, despite the UK leading the the ranks for female career progression – a finding that suggests that advancing to top management positions has not halted gender pay disparity.

The UK offers one of the longest maternity periods in Europe at 52 weeks, but around 75% of UK mothers say they’ve suffered some form of discrimination as a direct result of their pregnancy. In France, 1 in 4 mothers say that having a child has had a negative impact on their career.

Accounting for differences in currency valuations and the cost of living in each country, women in Luxembourg earn the most, followed by women in Ireland and Belgium. Bulgarian women are paid the least, while the UK ranks 12th among the 28 EU countries.

Based on self-reported responses of more than 2,000 working women across Europe, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia have the least-stressful work environments for women. In the UK, more than half (54%) of female employees say they have to work at very high speed or to tight deadlines, bringing the country to almost the bottom of the list.

The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden are leading the way for flexible working, while in Romania, less than 1% of female employees are given the opportunity to work from home.

When it comes to healthcare, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg offer the strongest systems in Europe, based on factors including patient rights, treatment outcomes.

While 15 out of 27 EU countries offer the same paid holiday allowance of 20 days per year, France and Finland lead the way with 30 days paid leave per year.

When it comes time to retire, Greece and Slovakia have the youngest requirement age, at just 57. Across the EU, the average age is 60.8.

About the author

Claire Lancaster

Tech & Entrepreneurship Editor

English-American, Claire has lived and worked in the U.S., South America, Europe and the UK. As Culture Trip’s tech and entrepreneurship editor she covers the European startup scene and issues ranging from Internet privacy to the intersection of the web with civil society, journalism, public policy and art. Claire holds a master’s in international journalism from City University, London and has contributed to outlets including Monocle, NPR, Public Radio International and the BBC World Service. When not writing or travelling, she can be found searching for London's best brunch spot or playing with her cat, Diana Ross.