This paper, published in 2007, explores the gender pay gap across the wage distribution in ten European countries using data from the European Union Household Panel. The authors, Wiji Arulampalam, Alison L. Booth, and Mark L. Bryan, use quantile regression (QR) techniques to analyze the gender pay gap by sector (public or private) and at different points in the wage distribution. They find that the mean gender pay gap often hides significant variations across the wage distribution. Key findings include: 1. **Glass Ceilings**: The gender pay gap is typically larger at the top of the wage distribution, suggesting the presence of glass ceilings. In some countries, this gap is also larger at the bottom, indicating sticky floors. 2. **Public vs. Private Sector**: The gender pay gap differs significantly between the public and private sectors in all countries studied. 3. **Differences in Returns**: The gender pay gap is influenced by differences in returns to various characteristics, with women facing lower returns at higher wage levels. The authors discuss potential explanations for these findings, including the work environment, parental leave policies, and hierarchical promotion systems. They conclude that while there is a glass ceiling over Europe, the presence of sticky floors suggests that the issue is more complex and multifaceted.This paper, published in 2007, explores the gender pay gap across the wage distribution in ten European countries using data from the European Union Household Panel. The authors, Wiji Arulampalam, Alison L. Booth, and Mark L. Bryan, use quantile regression (QR) techniques to analyze the gender pay gap by sector (public or private) and at different points in the wage distribution. They find that the mean gender pay gap often hides significant variations across the wage distribution. Key findings include: 1. **Glass Ceilings**: The gender pay gap is typically larger at the top of the wage distribution, suggesting the presence of glass ceilings. In some countries, this gap is also larger at the bottom, indicating sticky floors. 2. **Public vs. Private Sector**: The gender pay gap differs significantly between the public and private sectors in all countries studied. 3. **Differences in Returns**: The gender pay gap is influenced by differences in returns to various characteristics, with women facing lower returns at higher wage levels. The authors discuss potential explanations for these findings, including the work environment, parental leave policies, and hierarchical promotion systems. They conclude that while there is a glass ceiling over Europe, the presence of sticky floors suggests that the issue is more complex and multifaceted.