The gender pensions gap in Denmark has fell by 8 percentage points between 2014 and 2021, from 28 per cent to 20 per cent, according to data from Statistics Denmark.

It found that women’s pension contributions tended to be lower, largely due to lower average earnings.

However, the difference between Danish man and women’s earnings narrowed from 15 per cent in 2010 to 12 per cent in 2021.

Women in their 30s, 40s and over 60s in particular had seen their paycheques grow in recent years compared to their male counterparts.

The proportion of women aged 55-64 working in Denmark increased from around 50 per cent in 2008 to 71 per cent in 2021.

However, this is still a lower proportion than 55-64 year old men, with 80 per cent of this cohort still in the labour market.

Another reason for the closing pensions gap was that women tend to work more hours than 10-15 years ago and the number working part-time has decreased.

Despite the gap narrowing, there is still a 20 per cent difference in average pension wealth between Danish men and women.

Statistics Denmark calculated that around 80 per cent of the wage gap that still exists between men and women can be attributed to the difference that having a child has on the career paths of men and women.

"It is positive that women are approaching men in the area of pensions,” commented Velliv senior economist, Søren Dijohn.

“We are not there yet, but the gap will be closed further in the coming years. If I were to point to the most important factors that contribute to closing the pension gap between the sexes, it is especially the fact that women are today to a greater extent on the labour market and that more and more people are working full-time.

“We have also seen that women are better educated than men. This results in higher wages and, not least, higher pension contributions in the future. In addition, the maternity rules with more earmarked maternity for men will also become important.

"It is a challenge that something as positive as maternity leave ends up having negative consequences for women's wage development. Of course, we have to do away with that, and the new maternity rules are hopefully a good step on the way.

“Today, women are stronger than ever before, and I believe and hope that this will become visible over the coming decade so that we can overcome both pay and pension differences.”

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