Gender Gaps in Wages and Fringe Benefits: Insights From a Ghanaian Perspective

ABSTRACT This study delves into the persistent issue of gender employment compensation inequality, a critical concern under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. Despite the global focus, the evidence is skewed towards developed countries. Utilising data from 60,337 observations across 10 population‐based surveys within a 33‐year window, we employ matching and regressions to reveal a persistent wage gap where Ghanaian female workers earn 25.94% less than their male counterparts from 1991 to 2023. Despite a gradual reduction of 0.80 percentage points annually, the gap's trajectory has been inconsistent, with periods of both widening and narrowing. Our analysis also indicates significant heterogeneity in the wage gap influenced by factors such as occupation, human capital, family dynamics, societal norms and location, leading to varied experiences across different subgroups. Additionally, notable disparities were found in fringe benefits, particularly medical subsidies, highlighting broader dimensions of gender‐based economic inequality in Ghana.