Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The unadjusted Gender Pay Gap (GPG) represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees and of female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees. From reference year 2006 onwards, the new GPG data is based on the methodology of the Structure of Earnings Survey (Reg.: 530/1999) carried out with a four-yearly periodicity. The most recent available reference years are 2002 and 2006 and Eurostat computed the GPG for these years on this basis. For the intermediate years (2007 onwards) countries provide to Eurostat estimates benchmarked on the SES results.
Data are broken down by NACE (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community).
3.2. Classification system
The data disseminated in this table have been compiled using the economic activity classification NACE Rev. 1.1. The time series cover reference years 2002, 2006 and 2007. For more information on Eurostat NACE.
3.3. Coverage - sector
According to the new methodology the coverage is defined as follows:
target population: all employees, there are no restrictions for age and hours worked.
economic activity according to NACE Rev. 1.1. Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community: only for the aggregate sections C_O (excluding L); and if available, also for sections C to O and aggregate C to K and C to O.
size of enterprises: 10 employees or more.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
From reference year 2006 onwards, the new GPG (Gender Pay Gap in unadjusted form) is based on the methodology of the SES (Structure of Earnings Survey according to Regulation (CE) 530/1999). The SES is carried out with a four-yearly periodicity. The most recent available reference years for the SES are 2002 and 2006 and Eurostat computed the GPG for these years on this basis. For the intermediate years (2007 onwards) countries provide to Eurostat GPG estimates benchmarked on the SES results.
The GPG in unadjusted form represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees and of female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees.
The GPG is calculated at Member States and EU-aggregates total level using the arithmetic mean for the NACE Rev. 1.1 aggregate (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community) aggregate C to O (excluding L) and, if available, also for sections C to O and aggregate C to K and C to O.
The national and EU-aggregated GPG values, either in total or breakdowns according to the various variables below, are calculated using as weights the grossing up factors for the employees (variable 4.2 for SES2002 (Reg. 1916/2000); variable 5.2 for SES2006 (Reg. 1738/2005)). EU-27 and other EU-aggregate estimates are employee-weighted averages of corresponding SES-results and SES comparable national data for the year between two structure of earnings surveys.
For each country, the GPG is calculated for each gender, aggregate and breakdown as follows:
Gross hourly earnings of (gender) paid employees = ∑ (variable 4.3. x variable 5.2) / ∑variable 5.2
added over the MS or EU total or breakdown considered.
Where variable 4.3 = average gross hourly earnings in the reference month (Reg. (CE) 1738/2005).
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the employee.
3.6. Statistical population
According to the new methodology the coverage is defined as follows:
target population: all employees, there are no restrictions for age and hours worked;
economic activity according to NACE Rev. 1.1. (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community): only for the aggregate sections C_O (excluding L); sections C to O and aggregate C to O are optional;
size of enterprises: 10 employees or more.
Gross hourly earnings shall include paid overtime and exclude non-regular payments. Also, part-time employees shall be included.
3.7. Reference area
European Union, Euro area and Norway
The data cover EU-Member States, EU-aggregates and Norway.
European Union, Euro area and Norway
3.8. Coverage - Time
The available reference years are 2002, 2006 and 2007 for most countries.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Percentages.
The available reference years are 2002, 2006 and 2007 for most countries.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
EU-Member States and (if available and comparable) other European countries participating in the four-yearly Structure of Earnings Survey (Reg. (CE) 530/1999) on a gentlemen's agreement basis.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News releases on-line.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Please consult free data on-line or refer to contact details.
As based on a common definition (SES based methodology) the output is harmonized.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time improved substantially since the application of the new methodology (see: item 3.1).
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable.
No information available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
These historical data are no longer updated nor revised.
17.2. Data revision - practice
These historical data are no longer updated nor revised.
18.1. Source data
The results of the four-yearly Structure of Earnings Survey (SES) are used for the calculation of the (unadjusted) Gender Pay Gap figures. This survey is carried out according to the stipulations laid down in the Regulations (CE) 530/1999 and 1738/2005. The GPG figures for the years between the SES benchmark years are based on national comparable estimates.
The Structure of Earnings Survey is a sample survey.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Not applicable.
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable.
18.4. Data validation
Not applicable.
18.5. Data compilation
EU-27 and other EU-aggregate estimates are number of employees-weighted averages corresponding to the GPG covered population.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
The "old" GPG - Gender Pay gap in unadjusted form in % (national sources: 1994-2006):
As regards the "old" GPG figures previously published by Eurostat, countries calculated results using different data sources (administrative file, Labour Force Survey, EU-SILC - European survey about income and living conditions - or specific national surveys) involving distinct definitions, different coverage, sample size problems, etc.. All these elements hampered the GPG indicator's data quality and its comparability between Member States (this is why it was agreed on switching to an EU-level comparable common data source: the SES).
GPG estimates of the past (old methodology) are frozen, but not deleted from Eurostat's online database in order to keep historical series (1994-2006).
The Gender pay gap in unadjusted form in % - NACE Rev. 2 (Structure of Earnings Survey: 2002 and 2006 onwards):
From reference year 2008 onwards, GPG data are classified according to the NACE Rev. 2 classification and are broken down by economic activity (NACE section), form of economic and financial control (public/private) of the enterprise and age classes of employees.
The unadjusted Gender Pay Gap (GPG) represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees and of female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees. From reference year 2006 onwards, the new GPG data is based on the methodology of the Structure of Earnings Survey (Reg.: 530/1999) carried out with a four-yearly periodicity. The most recent available reference years are 2002 and 2006 and Eurostat computed the GPG for these years on this basis. For the intermediate years (2007 onwards) countries provide to Eurostat estimates benchmarked on the SES results.
Data are broken down by NACE (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community).
13 March 2014
From reference year 2006 onwards, the new GPG (Gender Pay Gap in unadjusted form) is based on the methodology of the SES (Structure of Earnings Survey according to Regulation (CE) 530/1999). The SES is carried out with a four-yearly periodicity. The most recent available reference years for the SES are 2002 and 2006 and Eurostat computed the GPG for these years on this basis. For the intermediate years (2007 onwards) countries provide to Eurostat GPG estimates benchmarked on the SES results.
The GPG in unadjusted form represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees and of female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees.
The GPG is calculated at Member States and EU-aggregates total level using the arithmetic mean for the NACE Rev. 1.1 aggregate (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community) aggregate C to O (excluding L) and, if available, also for sections C to O and aggregate C to K and C to O.
The national and EU-aggregated GPG values, either in total or breakdowns according to the various variables below, are calculated using as weights the grossing up factors for the employees (variable 4.2 for SES2002 (Reg. 1916/2000); variable 5.2 for SES2006 (Reg. 1738/2005)). EU-27 and other EU-aggregate estimates are employee-weighted averages of corresponding SES-results and SES comparable national data for the year between two structure of earnings surveys.
For each country, the GPG is calculated for each gender, aggregate and breakdown as follows:
Gross hourly earnings of (gender) paid employees = ∑ (variable 4.3. x variable 5.2) / ∑variable 5.2
added over the MS or EU total or breakdown considered.
Where variable 4.3 = average gross hourly earnings in the reference month (Reg. (CE) 1738/2005).
The statistical unit is the employee.
According to the new methodology the coverage is defined as follows:
target population: all employees, there are no restrictions for age and hours worked;
economic activity according to NACE Rev. 1.1. (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community): only for the aggregate sections C_O (excluding L); sections C to O and aggregate C to O are optional;
size of enterprises: 10 employees or more.
Gross hourly earnings shall include paid overtime and exclude non-regular payments. Also, part-time employees shall be included.
European Union, Euro area and Norway
The data cover EU-Member States, EU-aggregates and Norway.
European Union, Euro area and Norway
The available reference years are 2002, 2006 and 2007 for most countries.
Not applicable.
Percentages.
EU-27 and other EU-aggregate estimates are number of employees-weighted averages corresponding to the GPG covered population.
The results of the four-yearly Structure of Earnings Survey (SES) are used for the calculation of the (unadjusted) Gender Pay Gap figures. This survey is carried out according to the stipulations laid down in the Regulations (CE) 530/1999 and 1738/2005. The GPG figures for the years between the SES benchmark years are based on national comparable estimates.
The Structure of Earnings Survey is a sample survey.
Annual.
11 months after the reference year.
As based on a common definition (SES based methodology) the output is harmonized.
Comparability over time improved substantially since the application of the new methodology (see: item 3.1).
