Inequalities in employment rates among older men and women in Canada, Denmark, Sweden and the UK

Abstract

BackgroundIn most developed countries, governments are implementing policies encouraging older persons to work past 65 years to reduce the burden on societies related to disability benefits and pension payments. Despite this push to extend working lives, we know little about who already works past this age and any inequalities that may exist. Our study investigates the employment rates of those aged 65–75 years of age by educational level, health status and sex in Canada (CAN), Denmark (DK), Sweden (SE) and the United Kingdom (UK). Secondly, we aim to relate findings on employment rates to prevailing policies in the different countries, to increase the understanding on how to further extend working lives.MethodsWe used nationally representative cross-sectional survey data from the 2012–2013 Canadian Community Health Survey, 2013/14 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe for Denmark and Sweden and the 2013 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to examine employment rates for those aged 65–75 years by sex, educational level and health status (having limiting longstanding illness (LLI) or not).ResultsEmployment rates decline by age, but we see a linear decline in CAN and the UK compared to an initial decline then a plateau of employment rates from 66 to 68 years in DK and SE. Employment rates among persons aged 65–75 years were lower in the UK than in CAN, DK and SE. Among women, employment rates were highest in SE. Women with low education and a LLI had considerably lower employment rates than men with low education and a LLI (employment rates for men ranged from 27% to 12% compared with employment rates for women which ranged from 12% to 0%).ConclusionsOur results suggest that educational level, sex and health all play a role in extending working lives. The variation in employment rates between the four countries implies that policies do matter, but that social differentials show that policies cannot be ‘one size fits all’. Policy-makers must consider different groups (i.e. low-educated women with a LLI) when designing policies to extend working lives.

Inequalities in extending working lives beyond age 60 in Canada, Denmark, Sweden and England—By gender, level of education and health

“…We contribute to the literature by examining the association between three different categories of health conditions and employment among men and women aged 60-69 years in Canada, Denmark, Sweden and England and whether the association varies across the four countries. This study builds on a previous theoretical and descriptive paper from the THRIVE project [6]. This current study complements the findings of the McAllister et al [6] and contributes to the literature by presenting detailed comparative regression analysis on how physical and/or mental health conditions are associated with the likelihood of employment among older workers; by combining data from the different countries into one dataset.…”

“…This study builds on a previous theoretical and descriptive paper from the THRIVE project [6]. This current study complements the findings of the McAllister et al [6] and contributes to the literature by presenting detailed comparative regression analysis on how physical and/or mental health conditions are associated with the likelihood of employment among older workers; by combining data from the different countries into one dataset. Combining data allows for a more rigorous statistical comparison between different countries in the same analysis.…”

“…This study is part of a larger project entitled "Tackling Health Inequalities and Extending Working Lives" (THRIVE) which is a consortium involving researchers from Canada, Denmark, Sweden and England. McAllister et al [6] outline the THRIVE theoretical framework, provide a rationale for comparing these countries and an overview of the four countries. Table 1 provides a brief summary of the four countries.…”

“…Most studies do not examine health and the probability of employment past the age of 65 years, and few are comparative (with some exceptions [6,20]). We contribute to the literature by examining the association between three different categories of health conditions and employment among men and women aged 60-69 years in Canada, Denmark, Sweden and England and whether the association varies across the four countries.…”

“…Workers with chronic health conditions have an increased risk of early retirement [5]. However, some persons with health conditions continue to work into older ages [6] and under the right circumstances, even more could remain in employment longer. However, a gap exists in the literature as to whether the probability of employment is more likely with certain chronic health conditions compared to others.…”