---
title: The pragmatist’s guide to the gender pay gap
description: Businesses play a vital role in setting global trends that respect pay equality.
---

[News and Insights ](https://www.activpayroll.com/news-articles)

# [The pragmatist’s guide to the gender pay gap](https://www.activpayroll.com/news-articles/pragmatists-guide-to-the-gender-pay-gap)

 Written by [activpayroll](https://www.activpayroll.com/news-articles/author/activpayroll) | May 21, 2025 10:10:41 AM

*Despite advances in gender equality, globally, women earn 20% less than men on average. Several countries have introduced laws to tackle the pay gap, creating new reporting payroll requirements.*

 

 

While individual characteristics such as education, skills and experience, working time and occupational segregation explain some of the disparity, a large part of the pay gap is due to gender discrimination, according to [UN Women](https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pushing-for-pay-equity). Ensuring that men and women receive equal pay is necessary for equitable and sustainable economic growth, the [World Economic Forum](https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/in-full/economic-and-leadership-gaps-constraining-growth-and-skewing-transitions-7b05a512cb/#call-to-action) says. Businesses play a vital role in setting pay trends and [global payroll dashboards](https://www.activpayroll.com/activ8) have made it easier than ever to analyse pay data for a specific job function, location or across an entire organisation. An increasing number of countries have implemented laws requiring businesses to regularly file pay transparency reports. Let’s consider the role payroll plays in gender pay gap reporting and compliance.

[View full post](https://www.activpayroll.com/news-articles/pragmatists-guide-to-the-gender-pay-gap)

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