Belgium Gender Pay Gap: Real Wages 41.3% Lower for Women Despite Official Progress

A Le Soir report highlights that while Belgium's official gender pay gap appears favorable, real wages—adjusted for working hours—show women earn 41.3% less than men. The report details workplace practices, such as offering new male hires higher pay with promotion promises, that perpetuate inequality. This underscores a disconnect between aggregate statistics and on-the-ground disparities, potentially prompting policy or labor-market scrutiny.