Taiwan's gender pay gap narrows to smallest level since 2016

A Ministry of Finance report released yesterday shows that the average annual income of Taiwanese men in 2024 was NT$754,172 (US$23,244), 1.54 times that of women, who earned NT$489,894. The gap is the narrowest recorded since 2016. The largest disparity appears in professional practice earnings, where men earn NT$240,689 on average, 1.83 times the NT$131,237 earned by women. In salaries and wages the ratio is 1.39, while women out‑earn men in separation pay (NT$682,035 vs NT$581,245). The male‑to‑female income ratio has fallen from 1.57 in 2016 to 1.54 in 2024 after a brief rise.

Corporate leadership data reveal that men hold the responsible‑person, legal‑representative or manager position at 84.3% of Taiwan’s 2,824 profit‑seeking enterprises with capital over NT$1 billion, while women hold such positions at 15.7% – the highest share on record.

The findings underscore a gradual narrowing of gender earnings differences and a modest rise in women’s representation among senior corporate roles in Taiwan.