Equal pay for equal work: Vienna's fight against the income gap

Equal pay for equal work: Vienna's fight against the income gap

On November 2, 2025, Equal Pay Day was celebrated in Vienna, an important day that highlights income inequality between women and men. There are almost equal numbers of women and men living in the Austrian capital, with women making up 51 percent of the population. However, there is a gender pay gap that shows that women earn less than their male colleagues. Labor and Economics City Councilor Barbara Novak highlighted Vienna's pioneering role in a national comparison, as the city has the lowest gender pay gap.

Equal Pay Day is an opportunity to highlight the City of Vienna's measures aimed at closing the income gap and creating equal opportunities. The city implements various programs to support women, including the waff women's work foundation, which offers qualified vocational training for women without completed training, as well as a start-up service run by the business agency to support business start-ups. There is also the MINT initiative, which specifically promotes girls and women in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology.

Economic dynamism through women

In 2024, 7,508 new sole proprietorships were founded in Vienna, an impressive 43.2 percent of which were founded by women. This underlines how crucially women contribute to the city's economic dynamism and innovative strength. Vienna specifically promotes women in future-oriented industries, which supports the development of a fairer and more inclusive society.

But the challenges for women go beyond the economic field. According to the World Health Organization Gender-based discrimination is widespread and also affects access to health services. Women and girls often face barriers that limit their access to health information and services. These include mobility restrictions, lack of decision-making authority and discriminatory attitudes.

Gender and health

According to the WHO, women and girls worldwide face higher risks of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They are also at greater risk of violent attacks and discrimination in many societies. Harmful gender roles can not only affect women's health and well-being, but can also have a negative impact on men and boys by encouraging risky behavior and making access to health services more difficult.

Overall, Equal Pay Day in Vienna shows that equal opportunities is not only an economic but also a social concern. With ongoing measures, the City of Vienna wants to reduce income differences and promote the health and well-being of all genders.