Jobs and the Future of Work

The countries where people are working beyond 65

A police officer walks beside a group of Indonesian workers marching to mark May Day in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 1, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta - RC13ABE93310

A group of Indonesian workers marching to mark May Day in Jakarta, Indonesia Image: REUTERS/Beawiharta

Laura Oliver
Writers, Forum Agenda

Indonesia has the highest rate of people working beyond the age of 65, according to figures from the OECD.

The report suggests that 50.6% of 65-69-year-olds in Indonesia work. While there are huge differences between countries globally, older workers are notably prevalent in other Asian countries. In South Korea, 45% of this age group works, while in Japan 42.8% do.

In South Korea, according to OECD figures, the average retirement age for men is 72 years and 70.2 years for men in Japan.

But in Spain, just 5.3% of 65-69-year-olds work and the figure is similarly low in France (6.3%).

Cultural and legislative attitudes have contributed to this continental gap. In some European countries, for example, workers will be penalized if they want to work after the retirement age. There have also been protests in response to even small increases in official retirement ages.

Meanwhile, in Asia, many countries have shown support for a rise in mandatory retirement ages. In Japan, where the mandatory retirement age will rise to 65 in 2025, many older people say working longer will keep them physically and mentally fit.

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