Official figures for Scotland reveal a drop in the difference between male and female median hourly earnings for full-time work from 7.7% to 6.2% over the last year.
The figures beat the rest of the UK’s differential, where the decline is smaller, falling from 9.6% to 9.4% over the last year.
The annual survey of hours and earnings by the Office for National Statistics also shows that Scotland has the third-highest median gross weekly full-time earnings for women at £482.60, after London (£609.50) and the southeast (£497.80).
Commenting, Kenneth Gibson said:
"It is heartening that the gender pay gap is narrowing. I have never understood why some folk think it acceptable for their mother, sister, daughter or partner should earn less than them for doing the same job.
"It is important that pressure on the gender pay gap continues, until it is eliminated, bringing greater equality to our society."
ENDS
