Women in Germany experience a significant decrease in income after marriage, with earnings declining by an average of 20%, according to a study by Munich’s IFO Institute and the University of Oslo. The study, titled “The Marriage Earnings Gap,” attributes this decline to reduced working hours or complete withdrawal from the workforce due to increased responsibilities. In contrast, men’s earnings remain unchanged after marriage.

The study, based on pension insurance data, found that income differences between men and women grow significantly after marriage, regardless of whether they have children. Elena Herold, an IFO researcher, stated that the income differences between men and women increase in marriage, regardless of the birth of children. Though men’s earnings remain stable, women’s income declines steadily over several years due to factors other than marriage-related childbirth.

When childbirth is included, the decline reaches nearly 50%. The study also found that cohabitation does not produce the same financial impact as marriage. Herold suggested that the greater legal security provided by marriage likely encourages women to reduce their working hours.

One in 10 women stop working after marriage, while the rest work about 20% fewer hours. The income decline is not due to lower wages but a reduction in work hours. Household work done by women increases by a similar proportion, even when child-rearing is excluded. The study found no similar changes among men.

The structure of the tax system and gender roles reinforce the trend. A quarter of the income reduction for wives can be attributed to the splitting of income between spouses. Women who grew up in East Germany before reunification experienced less negative effects than women from West Germany due to more gender progressive norms in East Germany.

Edited by: Kieran Burke

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/husband-tax-german-women-s-pay-drops-after-marriage-study/a-71865772?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf