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Live Longer, Work Longer: The Changing Nature of the Labour Market for Older Workers in OECD Countries

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  • Martin, John P.

    (University College Dublin)

Abstract

Population ageing poses stark dilemmas for labour markets, social protection systems and cultural norms. It will put strong downward pressure on labour supply, leading to falling real incomes and huge financial pressures on social protection systems unless there is an offsetting increase in employment rates. This is especially true for older workers whose employment rates are well below those of prime-age adults. In this paper, I examine how the labour market for older workers has evolved in OECD countries since 1990, what are the main forces at work, what are the main obstacles to working longer and how might public policies help overcome them. I also speculate about the future for older workers faced with the challenges and opportunities posed by the gig economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, John P., 2018. "Live Longer, Work Longer: The Changing Nature of the Labour Market for Older Workers in OECD Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 11510, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Berde, Éva & Mágó, Mánuel László, 2021. "Életkori diszkrimináció a magyar munkaerőpiacon. Visszajelzések a fiatalabb, illetve az idősebb nők állásjelentkezéseire [Age discrimination in Hungarys labour market. Job-application responses for," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(4), pages 399-420.
    2. Lawitzky, Corinna & Weyh, Antje, 2020. "Facetten des wirtschaftlichen Strukturwandels in Sachsen," IAB-Regional. Berichte und Analysen aus dem Regionalen Forschungsnetz. IAB Sachsen 202002, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    3. Vincent VANDENBERGHE, 2021. "Health, cognition and work capacity beyond the age of 50: International evidence on the extensive and intensive margins of work," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(2), pages 271-310, June.
    4. Vladislav Flek & Martin Hála & Martina Mysíková, . "Assessing the Job-Finding Probability of Older and Prime-Age Unemployed Workers," Prague Economic Papers, University of Economics, Prague, vol. 0.
    5. Russell, Helen & Maître, Bertrand & Privalko, Ivan, 2019. "The ageing workforce in Ireland: Working conditions, health and extending working lives," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS92, June.
    6. A.V. Popov & T.S. Soloveva, 2021. "The Present and Future of the Employment Paradigm in the Context of Global Changes," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 20(2), pages 327-355.
    7. Caroline Lloyd & Jonathan Payne, 2023. "Digital skills in context: Working with robots in lower-skilled jobs," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(4), pages 1084-1104, November.
    8. Vladislav Flek & Martin Hála & Martina Mysíková, 2020. "Assessing the Job-Finding Probability of Older and Prime-Age Unemployed Workers," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2020(4), pages 424-444.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    population ageing; older workers; retention and hiring rates; ageism; seniority pay; gig economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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