IMF Working Papers

The Labor Market Decisions of Older Workers in Ageing Economies: Evidence from Spain and the UK

By Rodrigo Barrela, Pragyan Deb, Gloria Li, Carlo Pizzinelli

January 31, 2025

Download PDF More Formats on IMF eLibrary Order a Print Copy
More formats on IMF eLibrary Order a Print Copy

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Rodrigo Barrela, Pragyan Deb, Gloria Li, and Carlo Pizzinelli. "The Labor Market Decisions of Older Workers in Ageing Economies: Evidence from Spain and the UK", IMF Working Papers 2025, 030 (2025), accessed March 4, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400298646.001

Export Citation

  • ProCite
  • RefWorks
  • Reference Manager
  • BibTex
  • Zotero
  • EndNote

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

Faced with fiscal pressures and labor shortages from ageing populations, Advanced Economies need to ease obstacles to longer working lives. In this paper, we discuss recent developments in employment and activity of workers aged 55 and above in Spain and the UK—two countries that differ widely on historical and recent employment rate patterns as well as institutional settings. We then explore themes related to their labor market decisions, including flows into and out of the labor force, health, working arrangements, and unemployment benefits systems. The differences and commonalities between the two countries highlight the diversity of obstacles to longer working lives and the need for policies to act upon all of them. Policy priorities include addressing worsening health, improving accessibility for older workers with physical limitations, providing incentives to return to employment for the long-term unemployed, and greater flexibility in hours and working arrangments for those who have family caring duties or want to gradually transition out of work.

Subject: Aging, Health, Labor, Labor force participation, Labor markets, Population and demographics, Retirement

Keywords: Ageing, Aging, Early retirement, IMF working paper 2025/30, Job search, Labor Force Participation, Labor market decision, Labor markets, Older worker, Older Workers, Policy priority, Retirement

Publication Details

You May Also Be Interested In...

Pension Reform and Stock Market Development

February 28, 2025

India: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for India

February 27, 2025

Post-Pandemic Changes to Chile’s Financial Markets: Chile

February 25, 2025

Qatar: Selected Issues

February 24, 2025