Growth in women's football outpaces player wages and mental-health support
A new Fifpro survey of over 800 professional women footballers shows that despite booming revenues, many earn low wages, face insecure contracts and heightened psychological stress.
Fifpro’s latest global survey of more than 800 women footballers reveals a stark gap between the sport’s billion-dollar trajectory and the everyday realities of its players. Financial insecurity drives 59% of athletes to consider early retirement, and psychological stress now affects 46% of respondents, a sharp rise from the previous survey. Although average monthly earnings have risen to $2,601, the median remains at $1,669, with regional disparities ranging from $6,450 in North America to $480 in Africa.
Many players are on short-term contracts, with only two-thirds receiving pay for a full year, and 24% have experienced late payments. The report also notes improvements in maternity support, yet overall player welfare lags behind commercial gains, prompting Culvin to call for urgent regulatory and policy action.
Why it matters
The findings highlight that rapid commercial growth in women's football is not translating into fair pay or mental-health protection for most players.
In this story
