Older workers and active ageing in France: the changing early retirement and company approach

Abstract

Europe is experiencing demographic shifts without precedent due especially to progress concerning health and the decrease in fertility. These affect individuals, families, local communities, countries and whole strata of society. The number of people over 60 years old is going to increase in Europe as the baby boomers reach retirement age. If the factors related to employment are considered, it must be noted that the working-age population is falling nowadays. This drop is, in part, the result of low participation by seniors in the labour market, especially in France. The employment rate for this category of workers at the present time is lower than the objectives set within the framework of the Lisbon Process. The low participation of older workers in the labour market is the result of premature exclusion, within a context of high unemployment and industrial restructuring. Therefore, the development and enhancement of employment for older workers constitute a crucial issue. If the situations are very diverse in Europe, France is distinguished by an employment rate for people over 55, that is significantly lower than the average for the European Union. Still, only 3% of the population is working at the age of 65 and the median age of work is around 58. Thus, France is still very far from the objective set for 2010 at the Stockholm Summit in 2001. To take up the challenge of employment for seniors in France, it is necessary to examine its singularity and to question if there is a ‘French Exception’ on age management? An analysis of the institutional factors determining the relative labour market position of older workers can explain the French particularity.