Farmers are among UK’s oldest workers
FARMERS, undertakers, vicars, typists and caretakers are among the oldest workers in the country, figures reveal.
The grafters are more likely to be aged over 60, despite long hours and low pay.
According to the 2021 census, some 42 per cent of farmers in England and Wales were 60-plus, along with 28 per cent of undertakers and mortuary assistants.
Nearly a third (30 per cent) of the clergy, such as vicars and bishops, were at least 60, similar to caretakers (29 per cent) and typists (31 per cent). But the largest proportion was among elected representatives – from local councillors to Members of Parliament – where just over half (52 per cent) were aged 60 or over, and nearly two in five were 65-plus.
The figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics and are the latest data to be released from the census. They show that farmers have a particularly old age profile as an occupation, with fewer than 11 per cent aged under 30 and almost a third (29 per cent) aged at least 65. “An occupation with an older age profile could pose challenges for labour supply in the future if not enough young people go into that type of work,” the ONS warned.
Barriers
Across the whole working population, only four per cent are aged 65 or above.
At the youngest end of the age range, 16 to 24-year-olds made up about half of hospitality roles – waiters and waitresses (50 per cent), bar staff (48 per cent) and coffee shop workers (48 per cent).
David Sinclair, chief executive of the International Longevity Centre, said: “It’s ironic that these figures show
two in five of our politicians are over 65 yet too often in other roles, barriers like poor health, caring responsibilities or ageism in the workplace shut older workers out of the job market.
“We need to design jobs and workplaces that work for all of us, regardless of age.”