During their lifetime, women generally gain less than men, but the consumption difference between men and women is not pronounced. Consequently, the women are dependent from economic viewpoint during a longer period of time. Given their longer life expectancy, they expose themselves to a greater risk of poverty. This is one of the conclusions of a study carried out in the framework of UNFPA’s project “Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova”, IPN reports.
In the launch, Olga Gagauz, researcher of the Center for Demographic Research of the National Institute for Economic Research, said the total lifetime deficit of women in Moldova is 2.3 times higher than that of men. The earnings of men are higher than the consumption costs at the age of 24-53 (30 years in total), while in the case of women there is practically no such a difference. Only at the age of 40-41, there is an insignificant earnings surplus.
The gender stereotypes according to which the care for children is the women’s, not the men’s main responsibility primarily determine the women’s level of participation in the labor market. The inequalities on the labor market are fueled by the women’s responsibilities for keeping the house, growing and educating children, which take more time and often represent an impediment to the full involvement in professional activity, maximum growth and development as professionals.
In 2019, the gender pay gap in the economy was of 14.1%. The greatest differences between the salaries of men and women were witnessed in financial and insurance activities (42.9%), information and communication technology (35.7%), industry (20.9%), health and social assistance (19.6%). The women prevail in economic activities with lower pays, such as health and social assistance, education, service sector. The incomplete work program typical for the female workforce determines the lower pays.
The study “Why women tend to earn less than men during their lifetime? Assessment based on National Transfer Accounts” was carried out as part of UNFPA’s project “Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova” that is implemented by UNFPA with support from the Austrian Development Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection.
