Italian women who retired in 2025 received state pensions that were on average about 26.5% lower than those granted to men, according to the national social security agency INPS. The disparity highlights persistent gender inequality in retirement income and reflects broader labour-market gaps.
The average pension for new female claimants last year was €1,056 per month, compared with €1,437 for men, INPS reported on Thursday. That gap of 26.51% remained largely unchanged when considering only pensions from contributory schemes — excluding social supplements — at €1,139 for women versus €1,545 for men on average.
Multiple factors behind the gap
INPS said the imbalance stems from several structural issues in the Italian labour market. Women typically have shorter contributory histories due to interrupted careers, lower average wages over their working lives, and lower overall employment rates — all of which reduce pension entitlements. Women also more frequently receive pensions based on survivors’ benefits, which tend to be lower.
Data from a broader INPS gender report underscores the systemic nature of the problem. Differences in pension income by gender mirror disparities in earnings and work patterns, with women often earning significantly less than men and holding less stable employment positions throughout their working years.
Broader picture of retirement inequality
The pension gap is part of a wider pattern of retirement income inequality in Italy. Previous INPS figures for 2024 showed that the average state pension for men was about 34% higher than for women, as pensioners overall. Women made up a slight majority of beneficiaries but received a disproportionately smaller share of total pension income.
In addition, INPS statistics have shown that nearly 4.6 million pensioners — a significant portion of whom are women — receive monthly pensions below €1,000, underscoring the challenge of adequate retirement income for many.
Policy avenues and debate
Experts and advocates say addressing the gender pension gap requires tackling inequalities long before retirement, through measures that support women’s full and continuous participation in the workforce — including childcare support, pay equity, and career advancement opportunities.
