A recent survey by the National Institute of Statistics reveals glaring disparities in hourly wages between men and women in Cameroon. These inequalities, present in all socio-professional categories and exacerbated by age, testify to a persistent imbalance that challenges economists and social actors.According to the document titled "Women and Men, Girls and Boys in Cameroon 2024", made public on February 21, 2025 the average hourly wage in Cameroon is 589.6 FCFA. However, a detailed analysis reveals that this average hides significant disparities: men earn an average of 672.4 FCFA per hour, while women receive only 496.4 FCFA. In other words, there is a gap of 176 FCFA in favor of men.The pay gap is not an isolated phenomenon, but a persistent reality across all demographics and professions, according to the INS. A closer examination reveals even more pronounced disparities in certain categories. For instance, in the employer sector, men enjoy a salary advantage of 565 FCFA. Among middle managers and supervisors, the gap is 251 FCFA. These structural differences indicate that male work is consistently valued more highly, regardless of position or profession.Moreover, the survey highlights a troubling trend: the pay gap widens with age, reaching a peak of 549.7 FCFA among those aged 60-64. This finding suggests that as women progress in their careers, the cumulative effect of inequalities exacerbates their economic vulnerability. This statistical snapshot highlights key gender-disaggregated data from various sectoral administrations in Cameroon, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspect of unpaid work in perpetuating pay inequalities. Among couples aged 15-49, a staggering 99% of men were employed in the past 12 months, whereas only 74% of women were. Furthermore, 63% of men receive cash salaries exclusively, compared to 46% of women, while 33% of women receive mixed remuneration (cash and in-kind) versus 27% of men. Most strikingly, approximately 17% of women remain unpaid for their work, in contrast to a mere 4% of men.These findings, based on a sample of 12,000 individuals, underscore the pervasive nature of unpaid work among women and its significant contribution to their economic disadvantage

Christelle koambi 

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