Gender Pay Gap in European Economy System with Focus on Poland from Global Perspective: in the Pursuit of Sustainability

Joanna Bojarska; Wiktoria Kowalczyk; Dominik Dusza; Wojciech M. Wolf

doi:10.18778/2082-4440.50.01

Authors

Joanna Bojarska Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9190-6913
Wiktoria Kowalczyk Lodz University of Technology, Advanced Biobased and Bioinspired Materials
Dominik Dusza Lodz University of Technology, Advanced Biobased and Bioinspired Materials
Wojciech M. Wolf Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9162-9933

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/2082-4440.50.01

Keywords:

gender pay gap, gender equality, economy, sustainable development, labour market, labor law, artificial intelligence, employee life cycle perspective

Abstract

Aim: This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the gender pay gap (GPG) in Poland, examined within the national, European, and global contexts. It explores key causes, sectoral disparities, and the broader economic and policy implications. Particular emphasis is placed on the adjusted gender pay gap (GPG), which provides a more accurate measure by controlling for variables such as education, experience, and job position. This method reveals deeper and more persistent wage disparities than those suggested by the unadjusted GPG.

Methodology/Data sources: The study adopts a narrative literature review approach supported by secondary data analysis. It draws upon a wide range of national and international data sources, including Eurostat, Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS), OECD, and various EU and global reports published between 2015 and 2025.

Findings: In 2023, the unadjusted GPG in the EU was 12%, while in Poland it stood at 7.8%. Despite appearing relatively low, Poland’s GPG has stagnated or worsened over the past decade, while the EU has seen a gradual decline. The adjusted GPG – reflecting education, experience, and job type – was 11.4% for the EU and 12.5% for Poland (as of 2018). Sectoral differences in Poland are striking: 24.8% in information and communication and 27.6% in finance and insurance. Misinterpretation of unadjusted vs. adjusted data may distort the public debate and policy response.

Conclusions: The GPG remains a persistent challenge in both the EU and Poland. The lack of clarity between adjusted and unadjusted measures risks underestimating systemic inequality. Effective implementation of recent EU regulations, such as the Pay Transparency and Work-Life Balance Directives, will be key to narrowing the gap.

Significance/Originality: This is, to our knowledge, the first holistic synthesis of various GPG indicators for Poland, presented alongside EU and global comparisons. The findings underscore the importance of integrated, data-informed policies to advance gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

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