The wage gap between men and women closed a little more in 2022, and the government continues to outperform the private sector, national statistics agency CBS said on Thursday.

Last year men who worked for the government earned 5.1% more than women, on average, but in the private sector, the gap was 16.4%, the CBS said. The figures in 2020 were 6.7% and 17.3% respectively.

Last year, men earned an average of €31.30 per hour and women €29.70 in public service. In the private sector average pay rates were €27.40 for men and €22.90 for women.

The pay gap stretches the higher up people move within a company or institution, and hits 9% at the top of the civil service tree, the CBS said.