The Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN) has released new findings for International Equal Pay Day 2026, revealing that while perceptions of pay equality have improved globally over the past seven years, women remain significantly less likely than men to believe equality has been achieved. Based on the responses from approximately 43,000 people across 43 countries, the research suggests that progress is being recognised unevenly, with women’s experiences continuing to paint a more cautious picture. 

HEADLINES – IRELAND  

Ireland remains divided on equal pay, with women far more likely to see a pay gap 

Nearly half of Irish adults (48%) believe men earn more than women for the same job, while 38% believe pay is broadly equal. This perception is much stronger among women, with 56% saying men earn more, compared with 39% of men; meanwhile, half of men believe pay is equal, compared with just 26% of women. Concern is highest among women aged 55+, where nearly two-thirds (62%) believe men earn more, rising from 50% among women aged 18–34 and 55% among those aged 35–54.  

Internationally, Ireland sits between global and European sentiment: perceptions of a gender pay gap are higher in Ireland than the global average (48% vs. 44%), but lower than the European average, where more than half (55%) believe men earn more for the same job. 

Five years on, perceived career inequality remains stubbornly unchanged in Ireland 

Almost half of Irish adults (47%) believe women have fewer career opportunities than men, a view that has remained fundamentally unchanged since 2021, when the figure stood at 49%. Only 7% now believe women have more opportunities, reinforcing the sense that perceptions of a career opportunity gap remain deeply established. This view is particularly pronounced among women, with six in ten Irish women saying women have fewer opportunities than men, compared with around four in ten men.  

Ireland also sits above the global average on perceived career inequality, with 47% of Irish adults seeing fewer opportunities for women versus 42% globally. 

HEADLINES WORLD 

Global improvement in equality perception hides widening gender divide 

Globally, 45% of people now believe men and women earn about the same for the same job, up from 39% in 2019. At the same time, the proportion who believe men earn more has fallen from 50% to 44%, indicating gradual improvement in perceptions of pay equality worldwide. However, beneath the headline figures lies a widening gender divide, with more than half of men (51%) believing pay is equal, compared with just 38% of women. Conversely, a majority of women (51%) believe men still earn more for the same work, compared with only 36% of men. While men’s perception of equality has increased considerably by 8% since 2019, women’s views have changed only marginally at just 3%, suggesting that we may still have a way to go before we can close the gender pay gap. 

The research also finds that concerns extend beyond pay alone. Globally, 40% believe women and men have the same opportunities for career progression, while 42% believe women continue to face fewer opportunities. Once again, perceptions differ sharply by gender: 52% of women feel they are more disadvantaged than men, versus just 32% of men agree – a 20-point gap. This finding illustrates a trend the study has seen since 2021, with men’s optimism around career opportunity growing from 42% to 46% this year, and beliefs that ‘women have fewer opportunities’ dropping by 5-points. The opposite has happened amongst women: perceived equality has barely moved (32% to 34%), and pessimistic views remain essential stagnant (54% to 52%). It’s clear that men’s outlook on the topic is improving noticeably faster than women’s. 

A generational and geographic divide in workplace equality  

One of the study’s most striking findings is that perceptions of equality become less positive with age. Belief in equal pay steadily declines amongst older generations, while women with higher levels of education are increasingly likely to believe men earn more and have greater career opportunities. The findings suggest that greater exposure to the workplace may reinforce perceptions of inequality rather than reduce them.  

Regionally, Europe remains the most sceptical market. Just 34% of Europeans believe men and women are paid equally, while 55% believe men earn more for the same work. By contrast, perceptions of equality are highest in Vietnam (81%), Venezuela (79%), the Philippines (77%), Indonesia (68%) and Malaysia (64%) – with Southeast Asian countries taking 4 of the top 5 most optimistic countries from this study. The same pattern occurs in perception of career opportunities: 3 out of 5 countries with the highest equality perception are from Southeast Asia, while 4 of the 5 most critical countries are from Europe. 

Richard Colwell, President of WIN International Association, said: 

“The findings show that while perceptions of equality are moving in the right direction globally, there remains a substantial gap between how men and women view progress. Equal Pay Day is a reminder that discussions around equality do not end with pay alone. Career opportunities, advancement and lived workplace experiences continue to shape how people assess true workplace equality.”

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Media enquiries:

IRELAND DATA

Ciara Clarke, Group Director, RED C Research

Sakshi Murarka, Associate Director, RED C Research

+35318186316

[email protected]

WORLDWIDE DATA

Elena Crosilla, WIN Coordinator

+39 335.62.07.347

E-mail: [email protected]

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About the research

The findings are based on approximately 43,000 interviews conducted across 43 countries as part of the WIN Worldviews Survey 2026, exploring how people around the world perceive equality in pay and career opportunities, revealing a growing disconnect between overall perceptions of progress and women’s lived experiences.

Please note: Latvia and Georgia not included in this report.

About WIN:

The Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN) is a global network conducting market research and opinion polls in every continent.

Our assets

• Thought leadership: access to a group of the most prominent experts and business entrepreneurs in Market Research, Polling and Consultancy
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Over the years, WIN has demonstrated wide competences and ability to conduct multi-country surveys following the highest standards requested by the market. The accumulated expertise of the Association is formidable: among others, researched themes are gender equality and young people, communication and media research, and brand studies.