There is almost no pay inequality between men and women in Switzerland, as per the results of a study undertaken by the University of St Gallen.

Commissioned by the Swiss Employers' Association, the study focused on 461 companies utilising the government's equal pay analysis methodology. Out of these businesses, 99.3% comply with the equal pay guidelines under the Swiss Gender Equality Act.

89% revealed no gender effect, and just 3.3% of pay gaps between men and women are unexplained. Only three firms reported a pay gap of over 5%, which is the government's set tolerance threshold.

In addition, the findings showed federal government directives are being complied with at a sectoral and regional level, Swiss Info reports.

That said, the Swiss Employers' Association recognised that pay gaps need to be tackled at their core, such as the regular interruptions to women's working lives. As such, the association said women need to enjoy the same conditions that allow them to work in the same way as their male counterparts.

However, the Swiss Trade Union Confederation said the report was "embellishing" the real situation for female workers, stating it shows "only a small part of reality" as it only comprises 10% of businesses that have undertaken an equal pay review.

The report shows the University of St Gallen gathered 615 equal pay studies, corresponding to 10% of businesses, taking into account some 550,000 members of staff. 

The Gender Equality Act requires businesses with over 100 employees to undertake an equal pay analysis which is presented to employees and shareholders by the end of June. This has been in force since 2021.