Nearly 10,000 Hryvnia Gap: Men Earn Far More Than Women in Ukraine.

Gender Pay Inequality in Ukraine

According to Novyny.live: In Ukraine, the gender pay gap remains a pressing issue, with men consistently outearning women across multiple sectors of the economy. According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the national average monthly salary in the first quarter of 2026 was 28,885 hryvnias. Broken down by gender, men earned an average of 33,798 hryvnias, while women took home just 24,791 hryvnias. This means that women’s wages amounted to only about 73% of what men earned, highlighting a stark disparity.

Industry-Level Wage Discrepancies

Some industries show an even wider chasm in pay. For example:

• In arts, sports, entertainment, and recreation, men’s salaries are 47.1% higher than women’s.
• In finance and insurance, the gap reaches 38.7%.
• In information and telecommunications, it stands at 37.8%.
• In wholesale and retail trade, the difference is 30.6%.

While the average salary rose slightly to 28,885 hryvnias at the start of 2026—an increase of 548 hryvnias, or nearly 2%, compared to 28,337 hryvnias at the end of 2025—this modest growth does little to address the underlying problem of gender-based pay inequality. The issue continues to be a significant topic of public debate.

Ultimately, the gender pay gap in Ukraine represents a serious challenge that demands attention and action. Recognizing these existing disparities and implementing measures to close them could have a positive impact on the country’s economic health.

Gender pay inequality is not just a matter of fairness—it is also a driver of economic development.

Narrowing the wage gap between men and women could boost household purchasing power, which in turn would help fuel national economic growth. Both the government and the private sector must take steps to ensure equal opportunities and fair compensation for all workers, regardless of gender.