The gender pay gap in Pakistan: An empirical analysis and policy implications

This report provides the most comprehensive empirical analysis to date of the gender pay gap in Pakistan, using Labour Force Survey data. It reveals that women in wage employment earn significantly less than men—by approximately 25 to 30 percent depending on the wage metric. The report identifies key drivers of this gap, including occupational segregation, informal work, and discriminatory practices, and highlights that much of the gap remains unexplained by observable factors, indicating systemic inequality. Alongside a detailed legal and policy review, it offers actionable recommendations for aligning Pakistan’s labour legislation with ILO standards, particularly the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100). The findings aim to support national stakeholders—government, employers, and workers—in crafting coordinated, inclusive strategies to reduce the gender pay gap and advance social justice in the world of work.