Mind the Gap! A Spatial Analysis of the Gender Pension Gap in Swedish Municipalities.

Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between population density and pension income as well as the Gender Pension Gap in Swedish municipalities between 2011 and 2019. Despite Sweden’s reputation as one of the most gender-equal countries, the country’s Gender Pension Gap persists and surpasses the OECD average. Additionally, the Urban Wage Premium adds another dimension to the drift in pension depending on the choice of residence. Using panel data fixed effects, our empirical findings show that both men and women benefit from a higher population density in terms of higher pension income while suggesting a reduction in the Gender Pension Gap in more dense areas. The robustness of the fixed effects model results is confirmed through various models, including the consideration of an alternative main independent variable, the exclusion of time dummies, and the inclusion of additional control variables. Our research contributes to labour economics, urban economics, and sociology regarding gender equality.