Business · Economy · 13 hrs ago
Women in the EU receive pensions 24.5% lower than men
Women in the European Union receive pensions 24.5% lower than men’s, a gap discussed by experts and lawmakers at the European Parliament during Gender Equality Week.
Lower lifetime earnings are the main reason, as women more often work part-time and take time away from paid work for care.
These differences can reduce both their public pensions and savings through workplace pension plans.
The gap has narrowed over time: OECD figures show it fell from 28% in 2007 to 23% in 2024, while Spain’s gap is now 29.2%.
France, Belgium and Spain have passed laws that count time spent caring for children as work when calculating pensions.
Experts also pointed to tax rules and called for greater pay transparency and financial education.
There is no single best pension system for women, one OECD expert said, because outcomes depend on the labour market.
Women in the European Union receive pensions that are 24.5% lower than men’s, according to the article.
Experts and members of the European Parliament discussed the gap during Gender Equality Week.
Differences in working hours and accumulated income are a predominant cause, according to an OECD adviser.
Women are more likely to work part time and take time away from work for care responsibilities.
Some EU countries, including France, Belgium and Spain, have adopted laws that recognize periods of childcare as work.
- Who
- Women pensioners in the European Union receive lower pensions than men.
- What
- The EU gender pension gap is 24.5%.
- When
- The discussion took place during Gender Equality Week. The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The discussion was held in the European Parliament.
- Why
- Differences in hours worked and accumulated income are a predominant cause. Part-time work and care responsibilities also contribute.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The OECD-measured pension gap was 28%.
The OECD-measured pension gap had fallen to 23%.
Experts and members of the European Parliament discussed the pension gap.
- EU gender pension gap
- 24.5%
- OECD-measured gap, 2007
- 28%
- OECD-measured gap, 2024
- 23%
- Spain gender pension gap
- 29.2%
- Netherlands gender pension gap
- 36.3%
- Estonia gender pension gap
- 5%
What people are saying
The predominant factor is accumulated income due to differences in hours worked.
They ask us: ‘What is the best pension system for women in the world?’ And we answer: There isn’t one, because everything depends on the labour market.
People with low incomes, among whom women are more often found, receive less tax relief.