Why equality still has a price tag

In North Macedonia, women continue to earn significantly less than men, even when they have comparable qualifications and work in similar roles. The gender pay gap remains one of the most persistent indicators of inequality and despite growing awareness, progress in closing the gap has been slow. 

According to the State Statistical Office, women in North Macedonia earned on average 12% less than men in 2024, with the gap even wider in certain age and education groups. Civil society studies suggest that when adjusting for experience and education, the real pay gap could reach 28%, reflecting deeply rooted structural inequalities rather than differences in job titles or roles.

To help address these persistent challenges, the United Nations Development Programme is not only raising awareness but also taking action. Together with national institutions and local stakeholders, UNDP is implementing practical, targeted initiatives to reduce the gap and boost women’s economic participation. Our work begins with empowering women to access quality employment, from tailored entrepreneurship trainings in the green economy, digital technology, and sustainable services, to programmes that strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market. 

These trainings go beyond teaching technical skills, they also provide opportunities to access professional networks, secure funding, and build the confidence needed to step into leadership roles. At the same time, we are supporting women in vulnerable communities to overcome barriers to employment through mentoring, career guidance, and re-skilling programs, ensuring they are better equipped to participate fully and equally in the labor force.

Despite strong academic performance, women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields that offer higher salaries and better job security. 

That’s why advancing gender equality in STEM is a core pillar of our work. In close collaboration with universities and academic institutions, we are working to break structural barriers, promote female role models, and create more inclusive learning environments. Our efforts include targeted mentorship, hands-on training, and career development programs that build clear pathways from education to employment for young women. At the same time, we are strengthening the capacities of both public and private sector actors to identify and overcome barriers to women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and participation in STEM, green, and digital economic sectors.

Even when women do everything “right”, earn degrees, build careers and staying in the  workforce, they still face barriers to advancement. Studies show that women in North Macedonia are 25% less likely to receive raises than their male colleagues, even when they ask just as often. The return on education is also lower for women, especially in male dominated fields. In essence, men receive greater rewards than women, even when they have the same qualifications and put in equal effort.

At the core of these challenges lie a deeper cultural issue. The pay gap isn’t just a matter of policy; it reflects what society values. In North Macedonia, traditional norms still frame women as caregivers and men as providers. These expectations limit women’s career choices and push them into roles that are often underpaid and undervalued. In fact, when women enter certain professions, wages in those fields tend to stagnate or even decline. This is a pattern seen globally, but with very real local consequences. Until we challenge and change the assumptions about what is considered “men’s work” versus “women’s work,” these disparities will persist.

Therefore, we believe that true economic equality cannot be achieved without enhancing women’s participation in the workforce. That is why, in partnership with national stakeholders, we're implementing a diverse range of measures to boost women's employment and increase their employability in a competitive labour market. Through newly introduced and expanded tailor-made entrepreneurship trainings, we are broadening opportunities in self-employment, the green economy, and digital fields. At the same time, we are assisting women and girls to develop essential skills, build sustainable businesses, and access the resources and networks they need to thrive. 

Equality fuels growth

Gender equality isn’t just about fairness. It’s about unlocking the full economic potential of a country. When women earn more, families advance, communities grow stronger, and the national economy benefits.

At UNDP, we’re committed to narrowing the gender pay gap through skills training, structural reform, and culture change. 

But real progress goes beyond new policies or programs. It requires a shift in how we value work, assign roles, and define success. Care work, often labeled as “women’s work,” must be recognized and respected as the invisible engine powering our societies and economies.

Lasting change will happen only when expectations evolve, at home, in the workplace, and across institutions. Closing the gap isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.

Sources:

• State Statistical Office (2025), Women and Men in North Macedonia
• UN Women (2023), Country Gender Equality Profile
• Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (2022), Gender Equality Index
• World Bank (2015), North Macedonia Labor Market Report
• OECD (2023), Time Use Data by Gender
• European Commission (2020), Gender Pay Gap Statistics