This year, Women’s Pay Day is celebrated on Sunday, November 2. This means that women work for almost two months without pay if their annual earnings are compared to men’s average earnings.
In 2025, according to Statistics Finland, the gender pay gap in Finland is 15.9%. STTK has been calculating the pay gap since 2011. During that time, the gap has narrowed by about 0.2% per year.
“During the 12 years that I have served as President, the development of the pay gap has been downright subdued,” says Antti Palola, President of STTK.
There are many reasons for the gender pay gap. One of the underlying factors is wage discrimination and the lack of pay transparency at workplaces. For a long time, it seemed that the EU Pay Transparency Directive, adopted in 2023, would provide a remedy for the problem. The Directive obliges workplaces to address discriminatory pay gaps and promote transparency in pay structures.
“The obligations of the Directive must be enacted nationally by the summer of 2026. However, even Finland, sometimes called the model country of equality, has not led by example – on the contrary. It seems that the directive is being inadequately enacted in many respects and possibly late,” Palola says.
STTK emphasises the importance of promoting pay transparency in the workplace and an ambitious implementation of the directive. It is only possible to genuinely address discriminatory pay gaps and thus gender pay equality when pay structures are transparent, equal work can be identified, and wage comparisons are made on a non-discriminatory and objective basis.
“However, the implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive will be carried out at the minimum level, and insufficient tools will be available to bridge the gender pay gap,” Palola says.
The development of equality is stagnating around the world and in Finland. From a global perspective, Finland has an excellent opportunity to stand out in the development of pay transparency, correct the downward trend in the development of equality, and earn back the reputation of a model country of equality. The alternative is to allow the wool to be pulled over our eyes regarding unequal pay. The latter maintains the current pace at which the pay gap narrows, which means that this symbolic women’s pay day would still be celebrated in the 22nd century.
Influencer cooperation to promote pay equality
The Directive addressing pay transparency notwithstanding, there are other reasons behind the gender pay gap.
This year, STTK has collaborated with influencers in connection with the Equal Pay Day under the theme “Last payday of the year”. The campaign’s influencers are Miina Maasola, Simeon Seitz and Katri Kilpiäinen. The content published by the influencers covers information about the Equal Pay Day, factors affecting pay equality and the influencers’ own experiences. The influencer campaign is realised together with PING Helsinki.
Additional information from STTK: Antti Palola, tel. +358 40 509 6030
Read more: Equality at work – STTK’s views on developing equality (only in Finnish)