Women's football is on course to become a billion-dollar industry, yet many professional players still earn low wages, work on insecure contracts and face rising psychological stress. That is according to a new global survey of more than 800 footballers by the players' union Fifpro.
The report found that 59% of players cited financial reasons as a reason they might leave football early, while 46% pointed to psychological stress. Alex Culvin, head of women's football at Fifpro, said there was no single explanation. She pointed to growing public exposure, financial insecurity and inadequate support systems. "Players are now very visible," she said, adding that players are obligated to be visible because of the low income they receive. Overall, 57% of respondents struggled with their mental health, and half of them were not provided with support by their clubs.
The survey also revealed how players view their own status. Under Fifa's definition, 62% described themselves as professional, while only 78% reported having a written contract. Although mean average monthly earnings have tripled since 2017 to $2,601 (£1,970), the median salary is just $1,669 (£1,250). Pay varies sharply by region, from $6,450 (£4,886) in North America to just $480 (£363) in Africa. Average contract lengths have risen to 19 months, but only two-thirds of players are paid for the full 12 months.
Culvin warned that the economic boom in women's football could "mask some of the realities that players face and actually endure on a day-to-day basis." The report also found that 24% of players had experienced late payments over the past two seasons, while 42% were not provided with a pension.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing