Gender pension gap in the EU: women receive a quarter less than men

In 2024, women in the EU received pensions that were a quarter lower than those of men, according to Eurostat data. Find out which countries have the largest gap and how the average and median figures differ

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In 2024, the average pension for women aged 65 and older in the European Union was 24.5% lower than that for men. This is evidenced by data from Eurostat.

The difference remains significant in both average and median calculations. In some countries, the gap exceeds 40%.

The gap in average pensions: where the situation is worst

Based on average pension figures in 2024, the largest gender gap was recorded:

● in Malta — 40.3%;

● in the Netherlands — 36.3%;

● in Austria — 35.6%.

This means that women of retirement age in these countries receive on average more than a third less than men.

The smallest gap in average pensions was observed:

● in Estonia — 5.6%;

● in Slovakia — 8.4%;

● in Hungary — 9.6%.

Thus, Central and Eastern European countries show a relatively smaller imbalance in average payments.

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Median pension: what a different approach to calculations shows

In addition to average values, Eurostat publishes a gender gap indicator based on median pensions. The median is the value that divides the total number of pensions in half: half receive more, half receive less. Unlike the average, the median is less sensitive to extremely high or low payments.

According to median calculations, women's pensions in the EU were 24.9% lower than men's.

The largest discrepancies were recorded:

● in Luxembourg — 43.3%;

● in Spain — 41.1%;

● in the Netherlands — 39.6%.

The smallest median gap was recorded in:

Estonia — -0.3% (i.e., women received slightly more);

● Hungary — 0.4%;

● Denmark — 2.7%.

Where is the difference between the average and median indicators the greatest?

A comparison of the average and median gaps reveals additional nuances. The largest differences between these two approaches were recorded:

● in Denmark — the gap in average pensions was 12.9 percentage points greater than in median pensions;

● in Belgium — 11.0 p.p.;

● in Hungary — 9.2 p.p.

At the same time, in some countries, the situation is reversed: the median gap exceeds the average. The most noticeable difference was observed:

● in Spain — -11.9 p.p.;

● in Luxembourg — -10.6 p.p.;

● in Portugal — -6.5 p.p.

For Ukrainians who work or plan to work in EU countries, these indicators are of practical importance. The size of the future pension directly depends on the duration of official employment, income level, and social security contributions.

When choosing a country for long-term residence or employment, it is worth considering not only the current level of salaries, but also the prospects for social security. If you have any questions about legal employment, contract terms, or social guarantees, Ukrainians can contact lawyers specializing in employment abroad at Visit Ukraine to avoid risks and ensure that your documents are properly prepared.

We remind you! The European labor market integrates Ukrainian refugees in different ways, and the level of employment varies significantly between countries. Find out where it is easiest for Ukrainians to find work, why most work below their qualifications, and what actually increases their chances of finding employment.

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