Gender Equality in the EU in 2025
The 2025 report on gender equality in the EU published by the European Commission focuses on the key actions and achievements of EU institutions and Member States in this area over the past year. Encouraging examples of national initiatives on gender equality and of EU-funded projects aimed at gender equality are also included in the publication.
This edition of the report is the fifth one covering the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which presents policy objectives and actions to make significant progress by 2025 towards a gender-equal Europe.
As highlighted by the report, the EU has made historic progress in terms of gender equality over the past five years, with rules on pay transparency, work-life balance for equal care responsibilities, gender balance on company boards, and combating violence against women.
The report also provides an overview of the progress made in implementing the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, focusing on the main initiatives carried out from March 2024 to February 2025 to advance gender equality in the Strategy’s key areas: ending gender-based violence and challenging stereotypes; thriving in a gender-equal economy; leading equally in all areas of society; gender mainstreaming and funding; and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment across the world.
Despite the progress made, “the journey to achieving full gender equality remains a long and arduous one,” reads the conclusion of the report. In 2024, for the first time in the European Parliament’s history, there was a decline in the share of women Members, while women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making positions and to bear the brunt of care and household tasks. Moreover, as highlighted by the latest edition of EIGE’s Gender Equality Index, a major gap in gender equality persists between the highest- and lowest-scoring Member States.
For this reason, alongside the publication of the report on 7 March 2025, ahead of International Women's Day, the European Commission adopted the Roadmap for Women’s Rights. By reaffirming and reinforcing the commitment of the EU Commission to empower women and girls and fully realise a gender-equal society across Europe and the world, the Roadmap outlines a long-term vision for achieving gender equality, providing guidance for future measures in the next Gender Equality Strategy.
