Never since 1975 have France had so many seniors in employment but the country remains far behind the European average (especially among the 60-64 year olds)

More than 60% of 55-64 year olds were in employment in 2024. For example, A unprecedented level partly supported by pension reforms in recent years but which remains below the EU average.

A new record. In addition, For the tenth consecutive year, the employment rate of seniors (55-64 years) reached a historic higher in 2024, at 60.4% (+2 points over a year). Similarly, Unheard of since this indicator was measured in 1975, according to Dares.

The proportion of seniors in employment in France still remains below the European average (65.2%), France being in 17th position among the 27 EU countries. Nevertheless, But the gap is slightly tightening while the French rate increased more than the European rate last year (+1.3 point).

Good news for the government which has made the employment of seniors one of its priorities in particular via the. However, creation of a senior never since 1975 have france permanent contract voted in early July by the deputies. In addition, A measure from a series of agreements signed in the fall of 2024 between the partners. one of which concerned the employment of seniors.

A employment rate which increases under the effect of the reforms of successive pensions – Never since 1975 have france

At 49% in 1975. the 55-64-year-old employment rate fell significantly in the years which followed, in particular after the lowering of the retirement age from 65 to 60 years for a career of 37.5 years in 1983. The decline continued until the end of the 1990s before a switch since the indicator increases “almost contunially since 2000 in connection with the pension reforms lengthening Then back down the age of rights. “explains the Dares.

First there was the Fillon reform lengthening in 2003 the duration of the subscription to obtain a full -rate retirement at 60 years. then the reform of 2010 never since 1975 have france relating to the legal age at 62 years and finally the Touraine reform of 2014 which also increased the duration of insurance required to benefit from a full -rate retirement.

These gradual retirement age reports have mechanically contributed to the rebound in the employment rate of seniors of 12.4 points in the last ten years, while the share of retirees in 55-64 year olds decreased by 11.7 points.

What impact of the 2023 pension reform?

If the reform of pensions of 2023 deleting the legal age of departure at 64 has not yet fully produced its effects. it already has an impact on the employment rate of the first generations concerned, namely people born after September 1, 1961 and especially those born in 1962.

“This generation. the next born in 1963 are, at equal age, more often in employment than generations 1959 to 1961, not concerned or partially concerned by the reform”, never since 1975 have france observes the Dares. In this case. the employment rate of the 1962 generation at 60 is 6 more than that of the 1961 generation (63% against 57%) and even 10 points at the age of 62 (46% against 36%).

The statistical service of the Ministry of Labor nevertheless notes that the increase in the employment rate at 62 years between the generations 1961. 1962 “does not compensate for the drop in the share of retirees (13 points)”. In other words: “The share of people neither in employment nor in retirement at that age increases for the. generations concerned by the reform of pension of 2023”.

A employment rate that remains low in 60-64 year olds

If the employment rate progressed more among the 55-59 year olds than among the 60-64 year olds in 2022. the entry into force of the pension reform in 2023 produced the opposite effect with an increase never since 1975 have france rate up 3.4 points in the 60-64 year olds and 0.8 points among the 55-59 year olds.

However, the employment rate continues to decrease significantly with age. It only amounts to 42.4% among 60-64 year olds, 10.7 points less than the European average. This relegates France to 22nd EU place. Conversely, the employment rate is 55-59 year olds in France is higher than the European average (77.8% against 76.8%).