Pension gaps and regional disparities highlighted in Germany and Austria
In 2025 the average statutory pension for people aged 65 and older in North Rhine‑Westphalia was €1,640 per month, based on data from the Statistisches Landesamt Nordrhein‑Westfalen. Regional differences are pronounced: Baden‑Württemberg leads for men with €1,605 per month, while Brandenburg tops for women with €1,328 per month. Across Germany women receive on average more than €500 less than men, though women in the eastern states earn higher pensions than those in the west.
Several municipalities exceed the state average. Raesfeld records €1,675 per month and the Märkischer Kreis averages €1,826 per month, both well above the NRW figure.
In Austria women’s pensions are 39.4 % lower than men’s – the second‑largest gender gap in the EU – according to the Austrian Workers’ Chamber. Single women face a 28 % risk of poverty versus 14 % for men. The Chamber and the Austrian Labour Chamber have called for policy measures to close the gap, citing part‑time work and career interruptions as key drivers.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) report for Ostwestfalen‑Lippe shows a similar gender disparity: average new‑retiree pensions in 2024 were €1,399.92 for men and €936.23 for women, with the lowest figures still below €1,000 for many women.
Entities: Austrian Workers' Chamber (Arbeiterkammer) · Austrian Workers’ Chamber · German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) · Lisa Marie Krätschmer · Monika Gruber · Peter Eder · Renate Anderl · Statistisches Landesamt Nordrhein‑Westfalen
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Austria, women receive on average 39.4 % less pension than men, the second‑largest gender gap in the EU. (Austrian Workers’ Chamber)
- [DISPUTED] The average pension for people aged 65+ in North Rhine‑Westphalia in 2025 was €1,640 per month. (Statistisches Landesamt Nordrhein‑Westfalen)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] German women’s average pension is over €500 less than men’s, though women in eastern states earn higher pensions than those in the west. (Statistisches Landesamt / analysis of Bundestag request)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Austrian Workers’ Chamber and Labour Chamber call for measures to close the pension gender gap. (Austrian Workers’ Chamber / Labour Chamber)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 28 % of single women pensioners in Austria are at risk of poverty, compared with 14 % of men. (Austrian Workers’ Chamber)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Raesfeld and the Märkischer Kreis report average pensions above the NRW average, at €1,675 and €1,826 per month respectively. (Statistisches Landesamt Nordrhein‑Westfalen)
- [DISPUTED] In Germany, men’s average pension varies by state, with Baden‑Württemberg highest at €1,605 per month. (Statistisches Landesamt / analysis of Bundestag request)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Ostwestfalen‑Lippe, 2024 average new‑retiree pensions were €1,399.92 for men and €936.23 for women. (German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) report)