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European Year of Skills

Plugging gender gaps in the labour market

Long-standing gender inequalities continue to present challenges for women’s participation in the labour market.

The EU 2030 headline targets from the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, of at least 78% of adults employed and 60% participating in training every year, require significant effort to remove hurdles and promote the participation of women in the labour market.

The situation

  • Only 67.7% of women in the EU are employed, compared to 78.5% of men, despite higher formal educational attainment

  • Men and women usually spend similar time on education and training. However, in Sweden (+12%), Denmark (+7%), and Finland (+7%),  women invest more time

  • Only 7.5% of board chairs and 7.7% of CEOs in the EU are women

  • 75% of unpaid care and domestic work is done by women

Untapped potential: women are underrepresented in key sectors for the green and digital transitions

  • wind turbine with figure 33%

    33% in renewable energy

  • brain, icb with figure less than 20%

    <20% of ICT specialists

  • STEM illustration with figure 34%

    34% of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates

EU funds available

  • figure 99 billoin euros

    The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) provides funding opportunities focused on upskilling and reskilling of women.

  • figure 80.6 billion euros

    The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) requires Member States to promote gender equality to access funding.

  • figure 26.2 billion euros

    Erasmus+ allocates funding for education and training initiatives.

  • figure 95.5 billion euros

    Horizon Europe funds projects, among others, aiming to advance gender equality in research and innovation.