EU Women’s Pension Gap Hits 24.5%, More Than Double 11.1% Pay Gap
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jul 6
EU Women’s Pension Gap Hits 24.5%, More Than Double 11.1% Pay Gap
2 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jul 6
Summary
Women pensioners in the EU receive 24.5% less than men on average—€75.5 for every €100—showing a retirement gap more than twice the bloc’s 11.1% gender pay gap.
Lifetime contribution gaps drive the disparity: experts say pensions reflect not just hourly pay, but fewer hours worked, more part-time jobs, career breaks and fewer contribution years tied to unpaid care and childcare.
Malta records Europe’s widest pension gap at 38.2%, while the UK stands at 37%; among the five largest economies, Spain is at 29.2%, Italy 28.6%, France 27.2% and Germany 25.8%, all above the EU average.
Only four countries have a smaller pension gap than pay gap—Estonia, Slovakia, Czechia and Hungary—while Luxembourg shows the biggest divergence, with a 32.7% pension gap despite a -0.8% pay gap favoring women.
What is Eastern Europe's secret to a smaller gender pension gap, despite a larger pay gap?
Beyond the wage gap, is divorce the hidden reason women face poverty in retirement?
EU's pay transparency deadline has passed. Will member states now face penalties for their inaction?
Closing the Gender Pension Gap: Urgent Challenges and Policy Actions in the European Union (2024)
Overview
The gender pension gap in the EU and OECD remains a serious issue in 2024, with women receiving only about 77 cents for every euro or dollar men get in pension income. This gap is driven by deep-rooted inequalities, as women are more likely to take career breaks, work part-time, and earn lower wages throughout their lives. These factors combine to create a significant disparity that persists after retirement. The size of the gap varies widely between countries, highlighting the impact of different national policies and labor market structures. Addressing this challenge requires targeted reforms and ongoing policy attention.