The age employment gap is narrowing

THE GAP between the employment rate of 50 to 64-year-olds and younger workers is at its narrowest in at least 25 years, new research suggests.

Around 72 per cent of people in the older age bracket are in work today, an increase of 86 per cent since comparable records began in 1992 – and 27 per cent in the past decade, a study indicated.

In comparison, 78 per cent of 16 to 49-year-olds are currently in work, an increase of 10 per cent since 1992, said Rest Less, a jobs site for older people.

Stuart Lewis, of Rest Less, said: “The proportion of 50 to 64-yearolds in work has been on a steady incline since comparable records began and the employment rate is quickly gaining ground on the 16 to 49-year-olds.”

The Centre for Ageing Better said improving employment rates for over-50s will unlock huge benefits for the UK’s economy.