Kuwait Has One Of The Highest Gender Pay Gaps In The World

A recent government report from Kuwait's National Center for Development Research, affiliated with the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, revealed Kuwait's significant gender pay gap, ranking among the highest worldwide. The salary gap between male and female government workers stands at a significant 30%, according to official statistics.

In June 2022, a report examining the labor market system for government employees revealed that Kuwaiti women earn an average monthly wage of approximately 1,327 dinars in the government sector, significantly less than their male counterparts earn 1,895 dinars.

Kuwait's pay gap widened from 2006-2010 to 2012-2022, with slight decreases observed in 2012, 2020, and 2021, according to the World Economic Forum's global gender gap report. From 2006 to 2023, the average percentage of equal wages for similar work was 67%, representing a 7% decrease.

In contrast to the salary gap based on job grades, certifications, and appointments, the report emphasizes that the gap arises due to additional benefits such as social allowances and promotions.

Kuwaiti females earn an average annual income of $25,597, significantly less than the $53,640 earned by Kuwaiti males, indicating a difference of 52% in favor of men from 2006 to 2022. The gender pay gap reached its peak in 2017 when the annual income for males was $56,059.

Kuwait has declined 34 places since 2006 in the overall rankings of the Global Gender Gap Index. Notably, its weakest performance has been in the economic participation and opportunities category, where it dropped 46 places. During the period 2006-2023, Kuwait saw a 10-place decline in academic achievement, an 18-rank improvement in health and survival, and a 23-place drop in political empowerment.

Kuwait's economic participation and opportunities are declining consistently, with the best performance recorded in 2020, according to the report. Kuwait's 2023 ranking shows advancement in the "percentage of equal wages between women and men for similar work" index, moving up four places over last year. The overall gender gap score, however, remains average.

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit