Global Pay Transparency Report
This report highlights the growing importance of pay transparency for organizations worldwide and the need for decisive action. It outlines rising employee and candidate expectations. It details the challenges involved, noting regional differences. The report also offers a playbook to align pay transparency efforts with global business goals, starting with leadership alignment.
Pay transparency is reshaping how organizations attract, retain and engage talent worldwide. Mercer’s 2025 Global pay transparency survey — the largest study of its kind — reveals critical insights into evolving market expectations, company practices and emerging challenges. It covers market expectations, company actions, the impact of technology, risk management and the role of benefits in pay transparency.
77% of organizations globally are developing a pay transparency strategy
of respondents anticipate that pay transparency will improve pay equity within the company
of organizations understand that pay transparency is an expectation of candidates
of companies say pay transparency is an expectation of employees
Today, employees and candidates are asking more direct questions:
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How is my pay determined?
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How does it compare to my peers?
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What is my future earning potential?
Employees who believe they are paid fairly are 60% more committed to their organizations.
Effective investment in pay transparency hinges on three main elements:
Global Pay Transparency will be ignited in June 2026 by the EU - beyond compliance organizations that thrive will use this opportunity to streamline data, organizational structure, policies and practices to drive key strategic initiatives and inclusion
Fair Pay Leader Europe & UK, Mercer
Global Rewards Leader, Mercer
Fair Pay Leader Europe & UK, Mercer
Global Pay Transparency Solutions Leader
Partner, Europe and UK Rewards Leader, Mercer
Fair Pay and DEI Leader UK, Mercer