Scotland's gender pay gap: latest data and insights

Women working full-time in Scotland earn less on average than men. Scotland’s gender pay gap at 6.2% in 2016 is smaller than the UK average and is generally declining. However, key sectors and occupations continue to post substantial pay gaps. Occupational segregation, across sectors, is a major factor in explaining Scotland’s gender pay gap, but the underlying causes are the career disruptions of female workers plus some combination of other harder to measure factors such as discrimination and gender bias. The potential economic benefits from closing Scotland’s gender pay gap are substantial; a more engaged, inclusive and productive workforce, an increase in consumer spending and an easing of skills shortages.