1.1. Contact organisation
[4D0] European Commission (including Eurostat)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
[4D1_E2] Eurostat - Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
European Commission
Eurostat – Statistical Office of the European Union
L-2920 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
26 May 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
20 April 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
20 April 2026
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 5 on gender equality, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'Supporting people, strenghtening our societes and our social model'.
SDG 5 aims at achieving gender equality by, among other things, ending all forms of discrimination, violence, and any harmful practices against women and girls in the public and private spheres. In order to promote women’s social and economic empowerment, it calls for recognition and value of unpaid care and domestic work, equal rights and access to economic and natural resources, technology, basic and financial services and property.
The indicator is included as a headline indicator in the Social Scoreboard for the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 aims to tackle gender gaps in employment and promote gender equality across sectors by launching an Action Plan on Women in Research, Innovation & Startups, aiming to make the EU the most attractive place to work for women in this sector by 2030. Additionally, the strategy initiates a new “Boys in HEAL” approach to attract more boys and men to study and work in sectors such as health and education, complementing the existing Girls Go STEM initiative to address occupational segregation.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the difference between the employment rates of men and women aged 20 to 64. The employment rate is calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment by the total population of the same age group. The indicator shows activity and employment status for four groups of persons: employed persons working full time, employed persons working part time, employed persons with temporary contract and underemployed persons working part time. The indicator is based on the EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS).
4.2. Unit of measure
Percentage points.
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (LFS)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: ESS Labour Force Survey (LFS)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually in April. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland,Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United States and Japan. Since 2003, data for France include also the French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, La Réunion), with the exception of Mayotte.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented times series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2000.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_05_30
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
