Lower Saxony’s Stark Gender Gaps Persist in Work, Pay, and Pensions

New figures reveal persistent gender gaps in employment, pay, and pensions across Lower Saxony. While nearly all fathers with young children work full-time, most mothers remain in part-time roles. State officials are now pushing for reforms to address these disparities and improve work-life balance for families.

In 2026, 91.8% of fathers with underage children in Lower Saxony work full-time. By contrast, only 27.0% of mothers hold full-time positions, with the majority working part-time. Employment rates for mothers also vary by their child’s age: over three-quarters with minor children are employed, but this falls to 65.2% when the youngest is under three.

The state’s gender pay gap stands at 16%, while the pension gap reaches around 30%. These disparities have prompted calls for change. Equality Minister Andreas Philippi urged men to take on more domestic responsibilities and encouraged companies to adopt flexible working models. He also stressed the need for equal opportunities in leadership roles. Lower Saxony plans to reform its equality laws to support better work-life balance. One key goal is increasing part-time options in leadership positions. However, a search for organizations actively promoting gender equality in wages, pensions, or leadership found limited results—only a job listing from Headmatch GmbH & Co. mentioned flexible hours, without details on broader equality initiatives.

The state’s proposed reforms aim to close gaps in pay, pensions, and leadership representation. With most mothers working part-time and fathers dominating full-time roles, officials hope new policies will create fairer conditions. The success of these measures will depend on wider adoption by employers and changes in workplace culture.