A study conducted by the Federal Planning Bureau at the request of the FPS Social Security reveals that women in Belgium receive, on average, pensions that are 25 percent lower than those

of men. This places Belgium in close proximity to the European average in terms of gender-based pension discrepancies.

Across Europe, women typically receive pensions that are 26 percent lower than those of men, with variations across regions. Western and Southern European countries exhibit wider gender pension gaps compared to Central and Eastern Europe. Notably, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Malta report the highest disparities, while Slovenia, Denmark, and Estonia demonstrate the lowest differentials.

Despite these discrepancies, there is a positive trend observed over the past decade, with the gender pension gap narrowing across Europe, including in Belgium.

The primary driver behind this inequality lies in gender disparities within the labor market. Women are disproportionately represented in inactive or part-time employment positions. However, countries can implement policies aimed at redistributing pension benefits, including establishing minimum and maximum pension thresholds.

Belgium's Pensions Minister, Karine Lalieux, is optimistic about the impact of the federal government's pension reform in mitigating this gap. The reform places greater emphasis on part-time work when computing minimum pension entitlements. Lalieux emphasizes the importance of striving for equitable pension systems that address existing disparities and foster equal opportunities for both genders. Photo by Avij, Wikimedia commons.