ZAGREB, 6 March (Hina) – Women in Croatia earn, on average, 14% less than men, as the average net salary for men in 2024 was €1,498, while women earned an average of €1,289, according to an analysis by the MojPosao job-seeking portal.
The analysis shows the income gap is significantly smaller when comparing men and women performing the same jobs, but a difference remains, amounting to 9% in favour of men.
The smallest pay differences are observed among the youngest workers. In the 17 to 24 age group, women earn 13% less than men, while in the 25 to 34 age group, this gap increases to 14%.
The most pronounced wage gap is observed in the 35 to 44 age group, where men are paid 21% more. These figures confirm that the pay gap widens during the period when women are more likely to take career breaks due to family obligations and maternity leave, while their male colleagues continue advancing in their careers.
The gender pay gap in the 45 to 54 age group is 19% in favour of men, while for workers over 55, it decreases to 12%.
Men with less than a year of experience earn 10% more than their female colleagues, while for employees with three to five years of service, this difference increases to 16%. Among those with more than six years of experience, the pay gap reaches 19%.
The largest gaps in Zagorje, Međimurje and Lika
The most significant differences in favour of men are found in Krapina-Zagorje and Međimurje counties, where men earn 23% more than women, and in Lika-Senj County, where the gap is 22%. The smallest differences are recorded in Virovitica-Podravina (5%) and Koprivnica-KriЕѕevci counties (4%).
In the City of Zagreb, men earn 17% more than women.
Looking at differences by sector, the most pronounced pay gap is in sales (22%), the IT sector (19%), and tourism and hospitality (18%). The smallest differences are recorded in the sectors of manufacturing, energy, water and waste distribution (8%), manufacturing and craft services (10%), and healthcare and social care (11%).
In private companies with foreign ownership, women are paid 16% less, while in domestic private companies, this difference is 13%. In state-owned enterprises, the gap is 8%, while the smallest difference is recorded in public and local administration, where women earn 3% less.
When examining job positions, the most significant wage gaps are found in roles such as customs declarant, where men earn 41% more, facility manager and hotel manager (+39%), head chef (+38%) and production director (+36%).
There are occupations where women are, on average, better paid, such as accountant, where men earn 47% less, nurse (-44%), auditor (-11%), sanitary engineering/technician (-10%), marketing assistant (-9%), librarian (-8%) and dentist (-7%).
