The gender pay gap in Ireland has widened in recent years, according to the latest data from the European body Eurostat.
The details emerged in the European Commission's annual report on equality between men and women.
It reveals that, in 2012, Irish women were earning 14.4% less than men - while four years earlier the gap was just 12.6%.
In Europe as a whole the average woman earned 16.4% less than her male equivalent.
The report notes that women still tend to be concentrated in less well-paid sectors.
It says women in Europe still account for less than a quarter of company board members, despite representing almost half of the employed workforce (46%).
In Ireland, women also account for 46% of the workforce - but only 11% of board members are female.
More than half (54%) of Irish people believe inequalities between men and women are widespread in their country, lower than the European average of 62%.
However, this number has risen from 43% since 2009 - the highest increase in the EU.
The survey also shows that 81% of Irish people - and 76% of Europeans surveyed - believe that tackling inequality between men and women should be a priority for the EU.
A slight majority (52%) of Irish respondents - but just 36% of women across Europe - said making childcare more accessible would be the best way to increase the number of women in the labour market.
The report says that while women are more likely to have a higher education degree - with over 60% of new graduates being female - they are significantly under-represented in careers in science, mathematics and technology, as well as in senior education posts.
The Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Barbara Nolan said that huge challenges remained for Ireland due to a persistent gender pay gap, a lack of affordable childcare and low numbers of women in key decision-making positions.
The report also highlights the issue of gender-based violence – particularly sexual violence.
It shows that over a quarter of Irish women (26%) - and a third of women across the EU - report having experienced sexual or physical violence.
Almost 60% of respondents said that violence against women - especially sexual violence - is the area that the EU should address most urgently, with the gender pay gap ranking second in priority.
The report says the EU has taken steps to advance gender equality - and has pledged to "finish the unfinished business" of closing the gaps in pay, employment pensions, decision making - and to eradicate gender-based violence.
