Since the early 2000s, this file has returned to the table of successive labor ministers: the employment rate of seniors in France, which is one of the lowest in the European Union. But hey year, year, the curve is improving. A good trend that is reflected in the various surveys of the Statistical Directorate of the Ministry of Labor (Dares). And in particular the last published this Wednesday, which relates to the year 2024.
According to this one, last year, the employment rate of 55-64 year olds reached 60.4 %, or “His highest level since he was measured” by Dares (1975). It is two points more than a year ago (58.4 %). In comparison, the employment rate of 25 to 49 year olds is 82.8 %, proof that the problem of employment of seniors is still relevant.
If we look at ten years, the positive trend is quite clear: between 2014 and 2024, the employment rate of seniors increased by 9.7 points. In addition, indicates the Dares, the unemployment rate of seniors remains quite low: 5.2 % in 2024, well below the average of the overall assets (7.5 %).
Always a gap with the EU
Despite an encouraging trend, Dares nevertheless recalls that the current employment rate of senior French “Remains lower than the European Union average, which is 65.2 %”. According to the investigation, France is therefore ranked 17th out of the 27 European countries. Below it is Belgium (59.4 %), then Italy (59 %). Spain (61.1 %) is just above France, Portugal (67.6 %) is far ahead, while Germany (75.2 %) and Sweden (78.1 %) are good students in the EU.
In addition, a trend is still at work, according to Dares: the employment rate of seniors still decreases as quickly after 60 years, passing under 60 % from 61 years old, and under 20 % to 64 years. This is logically explained by massive retirement departures from this age. So at 64, more than three -quarters of seniors are already retired.
Women less well
Other notable information highlighted by DARES: women aged 55 to 64 display a employment rate of 58.7 %. A lower figure than men, the rate of which is 62.1 %.
When we take up the figures for 2023, we see the same gap problem. But the improvement is still there since 57.1 % of senior women were in employment last year in France, and 59.7 % of men. On the other hand, if we compare this data to the EU average, France is still behind. Indeed, 59.4 % of women in this age group were employed on the old continent. And the figure rises to 72 % for senior men, almost 10 points more than France.
On the other hand, the gender gap is quite gaping on part -time work: in 2024, senior French women work more often part -time than men, with a rate at 32.6 %, against 10.7 %. In 2023, they were 31.7 %, the trend in this area therefore did not improve.
“Not a surprise”
If Benoit Coquet, doctor of economics specializing in employment and researcher associated with OFCE, “Notes a positive trend, it is not at all a surprise”. Indeed, according to him, the successive reforms of pensions, starting with that of 1993, driven by Édouard Balladur, “Pushed back the retirement age and the duration of subscription”. There is therefore, according to the expert, a mechanical effect on the employment rate of 55-64 year olds, who are de facto more numerous to work today.
Dares go in the direction of this analysis, and evokes the pension reform of the year 2023, under Borne government, which postponed the age of the start of 62 to 64 years. “For people born between 1962 and 1963, who are the first generations entirely concerned by the last pension reform, the employment rate is higher”even says the statistical service affiliated to the Ministry of Labor. As an example, this indicates that at 60 years old, the employment rate of the 1962 generation is higher by around 6 points than that of the 1961 generation, not concerned by the reform.
In addition, analysis Bruno Coquet, it must be remembered that “The majority of French companies keep their seniors in employment” And finally adapt to the decline in the starting age or the lengthening of the contribution duration.
Hiring discrimination
That said, the economist wishes to warn: “These figures do not erase the problem of the employment of seniors in France, which manifests itself in particular by discrimination in hiring, overexposure to economic layoffs or the lack of vocational training”.
Another fact that worries researcher associated with the OFCE: “Each year, there are around 70,000 French people who are put in early retirement by their companies. It is considerable. »» For companies that offer this kind of option, the interest is obvious: replacing employees whose salary is higher, by younger employees, less well paid. However, underlines the economist, seniors are generally “More competent” because of their experience, therefore “Interesting” To create value in a business.
A decree for which gives access earlier to gradual retirement
The government has just taken a new initiative in terms of employment for seniors. A decree lowering the right to progressive retirement to 60 years (compared to 62 years) was published this Wednesday, with an entry into force on September 1.
This system allows employees to benefit from a fraction of their retirement while exercising a reduced professional activity, in order to continue to improve their retirement rights. To take advantage of it, the employee must have contributed for retirement for at least 150 quarters.
“The end of career should no longer be scary and strictly binary – full time or nothing – but on the contrary adapt to the desires and needs of each while promoting the maintenance in employment as long as possible”estimated the Minister of Labor this Wednesday with AFP.
