The employment of French seniors is lagging behind that of its neighbors. According to Eurostat figures, updated in March, French people aged 55-64 recorded an employment rate of 58.4% in 2023, compared to an average of 63.9% in the European Union (EU) and 64.1% in the euro zone. Of the 31 European countries listed by the EU statistical office, France ranks 20th in this area.
It is notably ahead of Germany (74.7%), Spain (59.5%), the Netherlands (75%) and Ireland (67.5%). The Nordic countries have the best employment rates for seniors: Iceland leads with 81.2%, followed by Sweden (78.1%), Estonia (76%), Denmark (74.2%). %), Norway (73.8%), Finland (71.7%), Latvia (70.9%) and Lithuania (69.1%). Bulgaria and Hungary record 69.5% and 69.1% respectively.
According to Bruno Coquet, economist at the French Observatory of Economic Conditions (OFCE), this gap with other countries can be explained by “ stereotypes more marked in France than elsewhere » with regard to seniors, “ which cause them to be discriminated against from an employment point of view “. The economist explains that when “ their career plateaus, at some point, seniors are laid off ”, and that they “ are also discriminated against when hiring ».
A difference in public policies
In France, ” the policies that should have changed this negative image of seniors at work have not been implemented, so the stereotypes persist », continues Bruno Coquet. The labor market specialist emphasizes that conversely, “ all countries which have succeeded in increasing the employment rate of seniors, such as Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands, very early on implemented policies to combat these stereotypes ».
In Denmark, for example, the retirement age is indexed to life expectancy. Currently set at 67 years, it will reach 69 years in 2035 and 70 years in 2040. To combat discrimination against senior workers, the Scandinavian country also prohibits mentioning one’s age on the CV when hiring.
Annie Jolivet, economist at the Center for Employment and Labor Studies (CEET) of the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (Cnam), explains the high employment rate of seniors in Sweden compared to France by “ pension reforms took place earlier and an earlier incentive to work later “. The Scandinavian country also has a “ rule in labor law which limits dismissals of the longest-serving employees ”, at the expense of “ latest arrivals », she adds.
This principle has a name: “ Last in, first out ». « Discrimination against older workers or older employees exists in most countries », says Annie Jolivet. What differs are the measures to combat this discrimination, explains the economist. “ There are countries, like Australia, where anti-discrimination legislation is stronger or more mobilized than in France. “, where the employment of seniors is “ a theme that is little discussed “, according to her.
« The idea of being able to challenge retirement, or the end of existing senior permanent contracts, is not very present in France », observes for example Annie Jolivet, who emphasizes that there is “ very few requests from the rights defender on this issue “. The economist also cites as an obstacle the received idea according to which “ seniors in the job market would not be willing to reduce their salary expectations ».
The health of French seniors in question
The specialist in public policies in favor of the employment of seniors adds that the employment rate of seniors also depends on the economic situation. “ In countries where there has been less lasting massive unemployment and stronger job creation rebounds, such as Sweden, senior unemployment is less lasting and there is more return to employment ».
Another factor: health. “ This is a real subject which explains why the employment rate of French seniors is low », says Bruno Coquet. “ Dublin Foundation surveys show that France is still poorly ranked in terms of working conditions and ability to practice one’s profession for a long time », adds the economist, specifying that production structures are not always comparable between countries.
The French government has set the objective of an employment rate of 65% “ by 2030 » for 60-64 year olds (compared to 36.2% in 2022). On the night of Tuesday April 9 to Wednesday April 10, the unions drew up a report offailure at the end of negotiations on the employment of seniors, compromising the government’s validation of the unemployment insurance agreement negotiated in the fall. The final text submitted for signature by the employers’ organizations does not create ” no new rights for employees », declared CFDT negotiator Yvan Ricordeau, at the end of the talks. An observation shared by the four other unions.
