Persistent pay gap
In the 21st century, women are outperforming men in educational attainment in almost every country of the European Union, as well as in North America. Yet the pay gap between women and men persists. In which of these countries are the hourly earnings of women closest to those of men?
A. Japan
B.France
C. Czech Republic
D. United States
B. France is correct.
Among large members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, France has the lowest gender pay gap, at 12 percent. Only New Zealand, Belgium, Poland, and Greece report lower differences in the pay received by men and women.
In the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, the pay gap stands at 14, 15, and 20 percent, respectively.
In Japan, women earn 32 percent less than men, a gap far above the OECD average of 18 percent. The Czech Republic's pay gap is 19 percent, while in the United States the figure is 22 percent.
The Globalist Quiz is produced by The Globalist, a Washington- based research organization that promotes awareness of world affairs. © 2008 The Globalist, theglobalist.com.
