ABSTRACT
The proportion of individuals in Sweden above the age of 60 still actively working is relatively high in the European context. Recent employment statistics show that the general employment rate (ages 16–64) in Sweden is about 74 percent, which is clearly above the mean for the European Union (64 percent; Eurostat Employment Statistics, August 2012). Similar numbers can be observed for other countries in the North-Western part of Europe. For the age group above 55 years, however, Sweden has the highest proportion working: slightly above 70 percent in the oldest age group (60–65) are still working compared to the mean for EU-27, which is 47 percent. Similarly high levels for older workers can also be found in Norway and Iceland. Differences between the north and south of Europe are relatively small for men but for women, the north of Europe generally has clearly higher rates employed in all age groups than the south.
