Investigating structural gender inequality in the Norwegian pension system: An example of using MBSE in the evaluation of social systems

Abstract

AbstractThere is an increasing interest in expanding the capacity of model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) to include the evaluation and design of social systems. System dynamics modeling can easily be utilized for such a purpose. This study investigates gender equality in the Norwegian pension system using system dynamics modeling and serves as an example of how MBSE can be used to evaluate social systems. Many women often do not work or work part time in their childbearing/rearing years, which affects their pension amount. In countries that implement policies to equalize the pension level between the genders, national policies center on enabling women to increase their lifetime working hours (e.g. national childcare policies for daycare). One country that is rather advanced in this policy area is Norway. Using system dynamics modeling, this paper explores how women are disadvantaged structurally in the Norwegian pension system in the context of social investment strategy and the dual earner/ caregiver relationship.