Assessing the Gender Gap in the Energy Sector Across European Countries: Applying the Benefit of the Doubt Approach

The energy sector is a crucial industry that powers global economic growth, yet it is also among the least gender-diverse sectors, with women underrepresented at all levels, particularly in leadership positions. This gender gap not only limits women’s opportunities for career advancement but also hinders the sector’s potential for innovation and economic growth. This study proposes the application of an indicator inspired on the “benefit of the doubt approach” to assess the gender gap in the energy sector across European countries. The study considers four dimensions to assess gender parity in the energy sector, including employment and wages, senior management, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The findings indicate that countries with better gender balance have made strides in reducing the wage gap, although there are still gaps in other areas for both efficient and non-efficient countries, underscoring the need for further action. Despite their efforts in renewable energy, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and Italy have low rankings in gender balance, highlighting the persistent challenges these countries face in achieving gender equality in the energy sector. Conversely, Estonia, Slovenia, and Belgium are more often viewed as benchmarks of gender equality in the energy sector.