Austria’s gender pension gap stays around 40% despite modest gains

Women in Austria receive about 39.4% less pension than men, with average gross monthly pensions of €1,614 for women versus €2,664 for men. The “Equal Pension Day” on 9 August marks the point when a man’s annual pension equals a woman’s monthly amount, highlighting the disparity. At the current rate of convergence, full parity would take roughly 95 years. Regional gaps vary: Vienna women earn 27.4% less, Upper Austria 44.8%, and Vorarlberg 46.4% less than their male counterparts. In the OECD, Austria ranks fourth worst for gender pension gaps, behind Japan, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The gap stems from lower wages, part‑time work, limited childcare, and insufficient credit for caregiving periods. Birgit Gerstorfer, president of the Pensionists’ Association of Austria (PVÖ), warned that a proposal to require 45 insurance years for pension eligibility “passes completely over the life reality of many women.” She noted that women on average have 37.5 insurance years versus 41.4 for men, and called for equal pay, better employment chances for older workers, and stronger pension credit for child‑rearing and care periods.