The income of women fell, since in March 2022 they earned an average of USD 427. Their average income is less than a basic salary.
Referential image of a woman in an industrial plant. February 2023.
The average monthly income of Ecuadorian workers was USD 445.1 in March 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC). This is an increase of 3% compared to the average salary in February.
However, when analyzing wages by gender, women continue to earn less than men. Women earned an average of USD 402.8 in March and men USD 470.3.
Thus, women earned on average less than a Unified Basic Salary (SBU), which in 2023 is USD 450.
Women’s income fell compared to March 2022, when they earned an average of USD 427.7.
On the other hand, the average salary of men fell, but slightly, since in March 2022 they earned an average of USD 470.5.
According to INEC, men reported more hours worked per week in March 2023, with 36 hours. In contrast, women report 30 hours worked per week.
This is explained by the fact that there are more women unemployed and, furthermore, there are more men with adequate employment, that is, they work at least 40 hours a week and earn at least the basic salary.
The rate of women without work was 4.3% in March 2023, and that of men, 3.2%.
And the rate of men with adequate employment was 39.5% in March 2023 and that of women, 27.5%.
In addition, men tend to have higher salary aspirations than women, according to a study by the specialized employment platform, Multitrabajos.
The report says that the salary aspiration in junior positions for men is 0.4% higher than the salary aspiration for women.
And in management positions, the salary aspiration of men is 13.4% higher than that of women.
Unemployment and underemployment fall
Ecuador registered an unemployment rate of 3.6% in March 2023, that is, 1.2 percentage points less than in March 2022, when unemployment was 4.8% of the Economically Active Population (EAP). This is the lowest rate so far in 2023.
The underemployed population also fell to 19.7% of the EAP in March 2023, compared to 23% registered in March 2022.
According to the INEC, a person is underemployed when they receive income below the minimum wage or work less than 40 hours a week, despite having the desire and availability to work more.
In contrast, the population with adequate employment went from 32.7% of the EAP in March 2022 to 34.6% in March 2023.
