Gender gaps have historical roots.These roots can be traced back to the organization of the family and to the traditional agricultural practices in the pre-industrial period, which influenced the gender division of labour, the role of women and the evolution and persistence of gender norms.

2.Culture matters in determining gender gaps.Gender stereotypes are well-established, both among men and among women. They influence the extent to which men and women share the same responsibilities, in particular in domestic work and childcare and they contribute to explaining gender gaps in the labour market.

3.Men and women have different attitudes and behaviours.On average women are significantly less likely than men to make risky choices and to engage competition. These differences can contribute to explaining gender pay gaps, glass ceilings, and the lower presence of women in high-paying jobs, or in highly competitive environments.

4.Maternity does not explain it all. There is no trade-off between fertility and female employment.Maternity is a penalty in the labour market. However, there is no trade-off between fertility and female employment; countries where women work more also have higher fertility rates. Thus, low female employment is not necessarily due to maternity decisions.

5.Education is the first engine of gender equality.Women and men are currently equally educated, and women often surpass male educational attainments in developed countries. However differences across fields of study, with a limited share of women in STEM disciplines, remain and may explain part of the still-existing gender gaps in access to the labour market and careers.