Research and analysis

Understanding the gender pay gap in the UK

A report which examines the gender pay gap in the UK between 2009 and 2023 using data from the Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS).

• From: Office for Equality and Opportunity, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Seema Malhotra MP and The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP
• Published: 14 July 2026

Documents

Understanding the gender pay gap in the UK: Drivers and barriers, evidence from UKLHS 2009 to 2023

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Details

This report examines the gender pay gap (GPG) in the UK between 2009 and 2023. The GPG is defined as the percentage difference in pay between men and women. 

The analysis uses data from the UKHLS, a large, nationally representative, longitudinal survey. The report:

• estimates the level of the GPG and how it has changed over time
• examines the main factors associated with the gap
• assesses how their contribution has evolved over time
• analyses differences in the GPG between low-paid and high-paid workers

The report also investigates how the GPG can be reduced by targeting the main drivers identified by our analysis.

Published 14 July 2026