Age and Gender

Sweden has just (October) changed to the ILO definition of unemployment which encompasses the 15-74 age range instead of 18-65-year-olds. The Swedish unemployment rate accordingly rose to 5.7% from 4.8%.

This being said, according to fresh labour market figures from the European Commission, Sweden's elderly work the most in the EU. The statistics only look at 55-64 year-olds, but if Sweden is already best in the class in that age range, I would assume that the 65+ are doing reasonably well (although I really hope that our elderly don't have to work if they prefer to retire but that they can work if they want to).

The EU average for employment among 55-64-year-olds are 43.5%, far below the Swedish figure of 70%. One reason for the Swedish scoring top place is that employment among women aged 55-64 is by far higher than other EU countries: 67%. The equivalent in Belgium is 23% (wow, that's low!), in the UK 49% and in Finland 54.3%.

The European Commission praises Sweden for its work with lifelong learning and active aging. Coupled with the high birth rate in Sweden this provides a basis for an increase of the work force until 2050.

New Concepts

Apparently the EU is talking about older people's contribution to economic and social development as the so-called silver economy. Maybe it's an old concept and it's probably not the EU that coined it but was new to me! I like it!