The UK has the lowest gender pay gap, and has seen one of the biggest decreases in average gender pay gaps since mandatory reporting started in 2017, says PwC.
The UK gender pay gap has seen one of the largest decreases since the introduction of pay gap reporting, signalling sustained efforts by organisations driving change, according to PwC analysis.
However, even with this year’s large decrease, data shows the longer-term pace of change remains slow, and it will take at least another 40 years for the pay gap to close completely.
The 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report shows a decrease of 0.6% in the mean hourly pay gap, narrowing from 11.8% to 11.2%, and a decrease of 0.5% for the median hourly pay gap, from 9.1% to 8.6%.
Andrew Curcio, global co-leader for reward & benefits at PwC, said: “The dial is finally shifting. Whilst we’re seeing incremental change, this year’s data shows that when employers take deliberate action over the long term, progress follows although it will still take a long time for the pay gap to close.
“From reviewing pay structures, improving gender balance of senior roles, and transparent and inclusive promotion and recruitment processes, the organisations making the biggest strides are those embedding equity and consistency into their day-to-day decisions, not just their annual reports.”
