Gender Pay Gap

Stats Canada notes a significant change between 1981 and 2001. The number of women with University degrees increased from 21% to 34% (aged 24 to 29 years old). I think this is great because I am the father of daughters. For men of the same age group, there was an increase but only from 16% to 21%, which is good to hear as well

While the gap has slightly narrowed—from 20% in 1991 to 18% in 2001—the progress has been slow and uneven. Fields traditionally dominated by women, such as healthcare and education, have seen declining wages. In contrast, male-dominated industries, like engineering and technology, continue to command higher salaries. This imbalance isn’t just a statistic—it’s a financial reality affecting countless families and individuals. As a father of daughters, I find this particularly concerning. If we want a future with equal economic opportunities, we must keep pushing for fair pay. We also need workplace policies that reflect the value of all workers, regardless of gender.

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A reason put forward by the study is:

This was largely due to real wage declines in female-dominated disciplines. These include health and education. At the same time, there were real wage increases in male-dominated disciplines. These include engineering, mathematics, computer sciences, and physical sciences.

Stats Canada made a purely statistical statement. Some might construe it as being sexist. However, as a mathematician, I understand the point being made, with sexist connotations aside.

More Gender Pay Gap Data

• Intersectional perspective on the Canadian gender wage gap by Marie Drolet and Mandana Mardare Amini
  Despite the increase in the proportion of women working in Canada and the narrowing of the gender pay gap, disparities between groups of women persist.
• By the Numbers: Exploring Women’s Presence in Canadian Colleges and Institutes.
  Canada has undoubtedly made significant strides in advancing gender equality, yet the journey towards full parity remains ongoing. Access to and representation in post-secondary education is critical here. 
• Table 37-10-0135-02  Proportion of male and female postsecondary graduates, by field of study and International Standard Classification of Education
• Why the Gender Pay Gap Persists in American Businesses.
  Women have made significant progress in terms of workplace gender equity since the days of Rosie the Riveter. However, elements of inequity remain stubbornly in place. In 2024, for example, women still earn around 84 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same job on average in the US. This figure is almost the same as it was twenty years ago.
• Gender pay gap in U.S. hasn’t changed much in two decades By Carolina Aragão.
  In 2022, women earned an average of 82% of what men earned, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. These results are similar to where the pay gap stood in 2002, when women earned 80% as much as men.