{"id":8304,"date":"2024-07-09T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T01:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/?p=8304"},"modified":"2024-07-09T09:40:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T01:40:52","slug":"gender-pay-gap-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/gender-pay-gap-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore\u2019s Gender Pay Gap: Do Women Really Earn Less Than Men?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to salary comparisons, the gender pay gap or the income inequality between men and women has been a contentious issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the\u00a0Labour Force in Singapore 2021<\/a>\u00a0report, the median gross monthly income from work (including employer CPF) in Singapore is $5,197 for full-time employed residents, $5,070 for females and $5,460 for males. These figures seem to suggest that there is a gender pay gap in Singapore. Numbers don\u2019t lie or do they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the feminist supporters and detractors raise their pitchforks, let us dive deeper into MOM\u2019s labour report and examine the statistics in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: The term \u201cgross monthly income from work (including employer CPF)\u201d will be used interchangeably with the term \u201csalary\u201d as this is the income that we commonly understand as salary (including employee CPF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>Are You Earning As Much As Your Peers: How Much Is The Average Salary In Singapore For Every Age Group?<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary For Females Is Actually Higher Before 30 Years Old<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The total average salary for females is lower than males (by 11%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age  ( Years )<\/strong><\/td>Female<\/strong><\/td>Male<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
15      \u2013      19<\/td>$1,901<\/td>$960<\/td><\/tr>
20      \u2013      24<\/td>$3,291<\/td>$2,691<\/td><\/tr>
25      \u2013      29<\/td>$4,706<\/td>$4,563<\/td><\/tr>
30      \u2013      34<\/td>$5,796<\/td>$5,850<\/td><\/tr>
35      \u2013      39<\/td>$6,143<\/td>$7,387<\/td><\/tr>
40      \u2013      44<\/td>$6,435<\/td>$7,776<\/td><\/tr>
45      \u2013      49<\/td>$6,084<\/td>$7,664<\/td><\/tr>
50      \u2013      54<\/td>$5,324<\/td>$6,338<\/td><\/tr>
55      \u2013      59<\/td>$3,990<\/td>$4,843<\/td><\/tr>
60     &     Over<\/td>$2,664<\/td>$3,000<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>$5,070<\/strong><\/td>$5,460<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Gross monthly income from work (including employer CPF), in 2023. Source: MOM<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Between 15 to 19 years old is the age group with the largest difference with females earning nearly 50% more than males. This figure is likely explained by the fact that males have to serve mandatory national service (whose income is not captured in the dataset).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 20 to 24 years old which is the age when most fresh graduates enter the workforce, females continue to earn 18% more than males.\u00a0Most of this pay disparity is equalised in the next age group of 25 to 29 years old, where females earn about 3% more than males.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after the age of 30, the pay advantage favours males, peaking at close to 21% higher during the age of 45 to 49 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: <\/strong>Not Just About The Average Salary Or The Working Hours: Why You Should Care About The Salary Per Hour You Work<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labour Force Participation For Female Is Much Lower After 35 Years Old<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A possible reason for the difference is due to the labour force participation or the proportion of people who are working or looking for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, the labour force participation for females is almost 18 percentage-points lower than males. About 76% of males are working or looking for work compared to 58% of females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before age 35, the labour force participation for both genders is not that dissimilar. In fact, between the ages of 25 to 29 years old which is the typical age range for fresh graduates to join the workforce or be in the early years of their careers, more females are actually working or looking for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age (Years )<\/strong><\/td>Total <\/strong><\/td>Female<\/strong><\/td>Male<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
15      \u2013      19<\/td>15.7<\/td>15.1<\/td>16.3<\/td><\/tr>
20      \u2013      24<\/td>55.9<\/td>56.5<\/td>55.4<\/td><\/tr>
25      \u2013      29<\/td>88.5<\/td>90.7<\/td>86.4<\/td><\/tr>
30      \u2013      34<\/td>93.4<\/td>90.8<\/td>96.1<\/td><\/tr>
35      \u2013      39<\/td>92.3<\/td>87.9<\/td>97.1<\/td><\/tr>
40      \u2013      44<\/td>90.5<\/td>84.6<\/td>97.1<\/td><\/tr>
45      \u2013      49<\/td>89.1<\/td>82.3<\/td>96.7<\/td><\/tr>
50      \u2013      54<\/td>84.2<\/td>75.5<\/td>93.7<\/td><\/tr>
55      \u2013      59<\/td>77.1<\/td>66.6<\/td>88.2<\/td><\/tr>
60      \u2013      64<\/td>66.6<\/td>55.2<\/td>78.6<\/td><\/tr>
65      \u2013      69<\/td>49.6<\/td>39.0<\/td>60.6<\/td><\/tr>
70     &     Over<\/td>20.9<\/td>14.9<\/td>28.5<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>68.6<\/strong><\/td>62.6<\/strong><\/td>74.9<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Resident Employment Rate. Source: MOM<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This coincides with the peak childbearing \/ childcaring ages for females in Singapore. According to SingStat, the highest fertility rates are for females aged 30 to 34 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Source: SingStat<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This suggests that once difference in labour force participation (and salary) is may be due to family planning and motherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: <\/strong>What Is The Average Salary In Singapore And The Flat Sizes You Can Afford In The Different Estates In Singapore<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Difference In Salary Is More Than 30% For Females With Degrees Or With Below Secondary Qualifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One major reason for salary differences is because of qualifications. People tend to be paid better with better highest qualifications attained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Males tend to earn more than females regardless of their highest qualifications attained. However, this difference widens significantly for those with a degree at 21% more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age  ( Years )<\/strong><\/td>Female<\/strong><\/td>Male<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>$5,070<\/td>$5,460<\/td><\/tr>
Below
Secondary<\/td>		$2,150<\/td>$2,481<\/td><\/tr>
Secondary<\/td>$3,247<\/td>$3,441<\/td><\/tr>
Post-Secondary
(Non-Tertiary)<\/td>		$3,086<\/td>$3,486<\/td><\/tr>
Diploma  &
Professional
Qualification<\/td>		$4,446<\/td>$5,070<\/td><\/tr>
Degree<\/td>$7,320<\/td>$9,295<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Gross monthly income from work (including employer CPF), in 2023. Source: MOM<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Type Of Occupations That Females Tend To Work In Greatly Affect The Pay Difference<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to\u00a0Singapore\u2019s Adjusted Gender Pay Gap Report<\/a>, occupation segregation by gender is a major factor in the gender pay gap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This refers to the tendency of men and women to work in different occupations. Males are more likely to be working in higher-paying occupations while females tend to be in lower-paying occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Males are more likely to be working as doctors, software developers and CEOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Females are more likely to be working in occupations that don\u2019t pay as well, such as teachers, clerks, admin staff and managers, social service managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Females Work Fewer Hours On Average<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overall, females also worked fewer hours on average compared to males. For full-timers, males tend to work 2.4 hours longer than females. For part-timers, males tend to work 0.6 hours more than females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Total<\/strong><\/td>Males<\/strong><\/td>Females<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Full \u2013 Time<\/strong><\/td>44.5<\/td>45.3<\/td>43.5<\/td><\/tr>
Part \u2013 Time<\/strong><\/td>21.0<\/td>21.4<\/td>2120.73<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>41.9<\/td>43.4<\/td>40.3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Average (Mean) Usual Hours Worked. Source: MOM<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: <\/strong>Average Salary Guide In Singapore: What You Need To Know Before Comparing Your Salary To Others<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preferences Matter When It Comes To Work And Income<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The adjusted gender pay gap has narrowed from 8.8% in 2002 to 6.0% in 2018, according to\u00a0Singapore\u2019s Adjusted Gender Pay Gap Report<\/a>. In the latest 2023 data, this has further narrowed to 6.0%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors such as occupational differences remain as the key driving force of gender pay gap in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also likely that many women do take a step back in their careers as they approach motherhood. This could affect their salary by either reducing their working hours or choosing a lower-paying position that gives more flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the tendency for women to end up working in occupations that pay less well is an area that is worth paying attention to. People-oriented occupations such as HR, teaching and healthcare tend to employ more women. Whether this is by personal choice or because society has shaped these occupations to be gendered as more female-centric can be up to debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, it does appear gender does affect pay, and these differences increase with age and at the highest and lowest tiers of educational attainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For women at the stage of choosing their studies and future careers, it may be worth considering whether your career choice is affected by societal perceptions of gender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, you should choose a career that suits your individual preferences and not because of the salary or the societal norms around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>Why Comparing Your Salary To The Average Salary In Singapore Is Similar To Parents Comparing Their Children\u2019s Grades<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article was first published on\u00a0DollarsAndSense.sg<\/a><\/em><\/strong> and updated with 2021 salary figures<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Gender might not be the only reason.\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8305,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[364],"tags":[314,891,1247,162],"yoast_head":"\nSingapore\u2019s Gender Pay Gap: Do Women Really Earn Less Than Men? | DollarsAndSense Business<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Women in Singapore earn about 8.8% less than men, but the reason for a lower pay might not be because of gender alone.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/gender-pay-gap-singapore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Singapore\u2019s Gender Pay Gap: Do Women Really Earn Less Than Men? 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