Women’s football is on track to become a billion‑dollar industry, yet a new global survey by the players’ union Fifpro reveals that many of the sport’s professionals are left behind by that growth.

Analysis of the Survey Findings

Financial insecurity dominates the reasons players consider early retirement. The report shows that 59% of respondents would leave the game for financial reasons, while 46% cite psychological stress. More than half (57%) of the women surveyed reported struggling with mental health, and half of those said their clubs provided no support.

Financial Realities on the Pitch

Although average monthly earnings have tripled since 2017 to $2,601 (£1,970), the median salary is only $1,669 (£1,250). Salary levels vary sharply by region:

Even in regions where the figures appear higher, many players earn less than their national minimum wage, and 24% have experienced late payments in the past two seasons. Contract lengths have modestly increased to an average of 19 months, but short‑term deals leave many without guaranteed income for large parts of the year.

Mental Health and Support Gaps

The survey highlights a growing psychological burden. Players report being expected to maintain high visibility while receiving insufficient income, leading to heightened stress. Fifty‑seven percent say their pay does not cover playing costs, and 42% lack a pension. Only 78% have a written contract, and 82% receive any payment from their clubs, underscoring the precarious nature of many careers.

Regional Disparities

While the United States and Mexico show sharp salary growth, ten Eastern European countries still report average pay below the national minimum wage. In Western Europe and Asia/Oceania, average earnings hover close to local minimum wages, indicating that commercial growth is unevenly distributed.

Calls for Reform

Fifpro’s head of women’s football, Alex Culvin, stresses that the industry’s rapid commercial expansion must be matched by stronger safeguards. She urges regulatory bodies to “catch up quickly” and to give players a seat at decision‑making tables. The survey suggests that targeted interventions, such as FIFA’s maternity regulations introduced in 2021, can have a positive impact, as the proportion of players citing family reasons for early exit fell from nearly 50% in 2017 to 19%.

Uncertainty

While the survey provides a broad picture of global conditions, it does not break down salaries by individual leagues, limiting insight into specific club practices. Additionally, the data reflects self‑reported experiences, which may vary in accuracy across regions.