The Gender Wage Gap is Proof That Numbers Do Lie

The wage gap was bad. COVID made it worse.

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Back in 2019, women were only making $0.82 for every dollar than a man makes. Recently published data shows that for 2020, that amount went up to $0.83 per dollar. (Table A-7, for anyone who is interested)

Let me clear, gender parity should never have been an actual thing in the first place. While progress is good, it should never be accepted as success until the female:male wage ratio is 1:1, and the wage gap is eliminated.

Back to the data, a casual observer might see this year-over-year increase as a good thing. You might even look at the historical data and be satisfied with the increases you see, even if they were in fits and starts.

Historical data of the gender wage gap. (Image source: author)

Taking a look at this chart, you might notice the “fits and starts” pattern.

• 1960–1980 was basically flat for female wage gains
• 1980–2000 saw most of the gains
• 2000–2010 was another stagnation
• 2010–2020 saw a mostly steady upswing