BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
To mark the recent International Women’s Day, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) updated the Women And Men In Ireland Hub, a crucial one-stop resource for equality data in Ireland. Developed in 2024, this hub collates statistics from the CSO and other public sector organisations, providing an “accessible, comprehensive insight into gender disparities across various aspects of life”.
The hub presents data across six key themes: Gender Equality, Work, Education, Health, Safety & Security, and Transport. By collating this information, it offers a clear picture of the differences between women and men in Ireland, highlighting progress and areas where improvement is needed.
According to the European Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index, Ireland achieved a score of 73.4% in 2022, surpassing the EU average of 71%. Ireland scored highest in health (94.6%) and financial security (86.6%), while lower scores were recorded in work (77.2%), knowledge (68.6%), time spent on unpaid care and housework (59.5%), and political power (67.6%).
Despite these overall positive numbers, recent political shifts indicate a step backward in gender representation. The proportion of female Government ministers declined from 27% to 20% following the formation of the new government in January 2025. Similarly, the share of female junior ministers dropped from 30% to 26%. However, Ireland continues to make progress in the European Parliament, where 43% of its MEPs are women.
The hub also highlights gender-based gaps in employment and wages. As of Q4 2024, the unemployment rate was 4.3% for men and 3.8% for women, showing a slight gender gap. The data also reveals differences in career choices, work patterns, and earnings, with men and women tending to dominate different sectors and roles. This information is essential for policymakers and businesses striving to bridge these gaps through targeted policies and workplace reforms.
Laura Delaney, Statistician in the Statistical Systems Coordination Unit, emphasised the importance of utilising the Hub: “It is interesting to review the data on the CSO’s Women and Men in Ireland Hub. We can see differences in career choices, patterns of work, and earnings. The Hub also paints a picture of the different life experiences of men and women, across themes such as education, health, and safety.”
Gender equality is not just a women’s issue — it impacts society as a whole. From economic growth to social stability, ensuring equal opportunities for all is a cornerstone of a progressive and fair society. While Ireland has made commendable strides in some areas, there is still work to be done in ensuring balanced representation in politics, closing the gender pay gap, and recognising the value of unpaid care work predominantly carried out by women.
This easily accessible resource aims to provide transparency and facilitate informed discussions on gender equality. Regularly updated, it serves as “a living document that evolves with societal changes”. The CSO encourages the public, researchers, and policymakers to explore the hub and use its insights to drive positive change.
Now, the challenge is translating these insights into actionable policies and cultural shifts that promote lasting equality. To explore the data and learn more about Ireland’s gender equality landscape, visit the Women And Men In Ireland Hub on the CSO website. The information is there — it’s time to use it to make a difference.
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