Employment of older people on the rise between 2007 and 2017: more part-time and temporary jobs

Between 2007 and 2017, in mainland France, while the employment rate for those ages 25-49 fell by 1.9 points (80.6% in 2017), that for those ages 50-64 rose by 8.2 points (61.5% in 2017). This increase is mainly due to people ages 55 or over, although the employment rate among those ages 60-64 remains low (29.2% in 2017).

In 10 years’ time, seniors’ employment conditions have changed. The share of professional and managerial staff and intermediate occupations has increased for older people, but less than for the rest of the population. The number of jobs with a limited duration, which was lower for them, increased between 2007 and 2017. Part-time work has become more widespread among seniors and has developed more for them. However, when they are part-time, seniors are less likely to want to work more.