On March 7, 2025, Germany observed Equal Pay Day, symbolizing the persistent gender pay gap, which stood at 16% in 2024—a decrease from 18% in prior years, marking the sharpest drop since 2006, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Adjusted for factors like industry, qualifications, and working hours, the gap remains steady at 6%. This day signifies the additional 66 days women must work to earn what men do, reflecting slow progress since 2010 and stagnation since 2018, placing Germany among Europe’s lowest performers in pay equity.
The legal profession exhibits an even wider disparity.
The 2023 Statistical Reporting System for Lawyers (STAR)—a data-tracking initiative established by the Nuremberg Institute for Liberal Professions (IFB) on behalf of the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK)—reported a staggering 23.3% gender pay gap among full-time employed lawyers. This figure pushed the sector’s Equal Pay Day to March 25, 2024, meaning female lawyers effectively worked 85 days without pay compared to their male counterparts. The STAR study pinpointed particularly pronounced salary disparities for in-house lawyers, exposing deep-rooted systemic issues within the legal field that outpace national averages.
The Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer’s accompanying article acknowledges some improvement but stresses that these gaps remain unacceptable, calling for urgent action. Looking forward, the EU Pay Transparency Directive (EU) 2023/970 offers a potential catalyst for change. Adopted to enforce equal pay for equal work and reduce gender disparities, it mandates employers to disclose pay data and address gaps exceeding 5%, with Germany required to implement it by June 7, 2026. For the legal profession, where inequities are glaring, this directive could drive significant reforms, aligning the sector with international standards. As Germany enters a new legislative period, translating this policy into actionable steps will be critical to dismantling the enduring wage divide and fostering fairness.