Marriage and Women's Income Decline

Recent research reveals a concerning trend: marriage significantly impacts women's income, leading to an average decrease of 20%. This decline is attributed to several factors, including the spousal splitting system, which combines and halves incomes, along with persistent traditional gender roles.

The study, conducted by Ifo researcher Elena Herold and the University of Oslo, utilized pension insurance data to highlight these patterns. Interestingly, women in East Germany, who have access to more modern role models, experience a smaller decline in income compared to their counterparts in other regions.

Despite the gradual reduction of the gender pay gap, this income drop remains consistent regardless of whether women have children. Notably, the 2008 divorce law reform has not shown any impact on these trends.

This evidence underscores the need for a reassessment of societal norms and policies that inadvertently disadvantage women post-marriage, emphasizing the importance of fostering equitable income opportunities for all.