Where do you see yourself in 53 years?

Retired and traveling around the world?

Enrolling in university to take up a second degree?

Becoming the Queen B of a retirement home and passing the time eating chocolate mousse? 

Well, one thing's for sure – you won't be earning the same salary as men.

via GIPHY

According to a new report from financial consultancy Deloitte, the gender pay gap won't close until 2069 in the UK, 99 years after the implementation of the 1970 Equal Pay Act. 

Using data from the Office of National Statistics, the analysis found that the despite the gender pay gap currently being the lowest on record (9.4% for full-time workers), the difference of hourly pay between men and women in full-time employment is closing at such a slow rate that it amounts to 2.5p a year.

By the way, that's the equivalent of a tenth of the price of a Freddo.

Women at work | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

The report also found that at the start of women's careers, graduates are earning less than their male colleagues – dominating in fields such as healthcare and teaching – with women earning an average of 8% less in starting salaries than men in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) combined. 

To make matters even more depressing, the gulf between men and women's salaries to widen over time.  

via GIPHY

Jemima Olchawski, the head of policy and insight at the Fawcett Society told The Guardian: 'At the current rate of progress young women starting work today will have retired by the time we close the gender pay gap – none of us can afford to wait that long.'

No, we can't. 

The news comes three months after Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to create a 'Britain that works for everyone', in light of the on-going gap between men and women's earnings. 

Sterling | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

So, why is the gender pay gap still so big?

Factors include women being three times more likely to be part-time work than men, taking time out for family reasons and women applying for more lower paid jobs when they return from maternity leave. 

'There may also be unconscious discrimination at work and within organisations that affect decisions about jobs and pay,' the report stated.

Right, well seeing as full-time female employees will effectively work for free from 9 November until the end of the year, we suggest a mass holiday to the Caribbean until New Years.

via GIPHY

Get your bags packed, the first drinks is on us. 

Headshot of Katie O'Malley
Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.