Montenegro has made steady progress on gender equality, however, women continue to earn less than men across most sectors of the economy. Structural habits in employment, social expectations and inequalities within the labor market reflect the gender wage gap in Montenegro, resulting in higher poverty risks for women.

A 2021 report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) indicates a 21.6% difference between female and male average earnings. Prime-age workers, highly skilled workers and foreign employees experience the most significant gap. Differences in the wage gap are not due to lack of qualifications or experience, but structural inequalities that shape the outcomes of women’s earnings.

Sectoral Segregation Reinforces Inequality

One of the leading factors of the gender wage gap in Montenegro is occupational segregation, as most women work in lower-paying sectors. Men dominate higher-paid fields, including construction, technology and energy, while women are concentrated in fields including retail, education and health care. Many women are on fixed-term contracts, facing larger wage penalties and limiting long-term earning potential. These disparities increase women’s vulnerability to poverty.

Female workers in Montenegro often acquire higher levels of education compared to men. However, these improved qualifications are not yet reflected in their pay. According to the LIO, highly educated women continue to earn less than similarly educated men. This suggests that gendered stereotypes, limited access to leadership roles and hiring patterns continue to hold back guaranteed equal pay and reinforce the gender wage gap in Montenegro.

Women Face Higher Poverty Risk Amid Unequal Earnings 

Montenegro’s Gender Equality Index score for 2023 was 59.3, placing the nation below the European Union average by more than nine points. According to the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT), monetary and economic resources remain the least equal category. Scarce access to economic opportunities alongside lower earnings positions Montenegrin women at a higher risk of poverty than men, especially single mothers and rural women.

Reforms Aim To Reduce the Wage Gap

The Montenegrin government has introduced several legal and policy reforms to strengthen equal-pay protections and expand economic opportunities for women. Reforms include improving labor-law enforcement, expanding digital-skills training and supporting female entrepreneurship. The European Union and international partners are supporting these programs. According to the UNDP, these initiatives increased women’s participation in training programs supporting more than 500 women-led businesses between 2020 and 2023. Strengthening these reforms is vital to closing the gender wage gap in Montenegro.

Ending the gender wage gap in Montenegro will require a sustained investment in childcare, stronger enforcement of equal-pay law and expanded opportunities for women in high-growth industries. With consistent support from national institutions, the European Union and local organizations, Montenegro can reduce poverty rates and build a more equitable and resilient economy for all. 

– Hana Abulkheir

Hana is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

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