Chilean women increase high-skill employment despite persistent income gaps

A decade-long study in Chile reveals that while women are increasingly entering high-skilled occupations, income inequality remains concentrated at the top of the labor structure. Between 2015 and 2025, the proportion of women in highly qualified roles rose from 29.8% to 42.6%, a 12.8 percentage point increase that more than doubled the rate seen in men.

Although the overall gender wage gap decreased from 31.1% in 2015 to 21.7% in 2025, the progress varies by skill level. The gap narrowed significantly by 10.4 points in low-skilled occupations, but only by 4.5 points in highly skilled roles. While women's real incomes grew by 6.4% in 2025—more than double the 2.6% growth seen in men—disparities persist as women ascend the professional ladder.