How Iceland Managed To Decrease Its Gender Pay Gap

Iceland became the first country in the world to legislate to ensure equal pay between men and women. The new law took effect on the first day of 2018 adding to an already impressive list of reasons why Iceland is one of the best places to be a woman.

The new law makes it illegal for companies and government agencies, which employ at least 25 workers, to operate without a certification proving their equal-pay policies. The law ensures that women and men are paid equally, with those who do not comply with being forced to pay a fine.

Iceland, a small island nation in the North Atlantic with a population of 330,000, also had the first democratically elected female president in 1980 and the first openly gay prime minister in 2009. Iceland’s new centre-right government, spearheaded by the newly elected prime minister Katrín Jacóbsdóttir, a noted feminist and environmental activist, proposed this new legislation which was also supported by the opposing party members. The parliament, which is nearly equally gender balanced, plans to completely close the gender wage gap by 2020.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.