A Eurobarometer survey found that the numbers of people employed between 60 and 64 jumped from 25% of the overall population in the bloc in 2000 to 30% in 2010, whilst the percentage between 55 and 59 rose by 11% over the same period.

What are the key results of the active ageing Eurobarometer survey?

• The majority of Europeans (71%) are aware that the population is getting older, but this is a concern for only 42 %.

• Definitions of 'old' and 'young' differ across countries. On average, Europeans believe that people start being considered as old just before 64 years and are no longer considered young from the age of 41.8 years.

• Most Europeans consider that older people play a major role in society and especially within their families (82%), in politics (71%), in the local community (70%), or in the economy (67%)

• Only one in three Europeans believes that the official retirement age will have to increase by 2030.

• 61% of Europeans support the idea that people should be allowed to continue working once they have reached the official retirement age, and 53% reject the idea of a compulsory retirement age.

• According to Eurostat, the average exit age from the labour market is 61.5 years. However, 42% of Europeans believe that they would be capable of carrying out their current work till the age of 65 or beyond, whilst an additional 28% think they are able to continue their current work until the age of 60-64.

• One third of Europeans state that they would like to continue working after they reach the age when they are entitled to a pension.

• Part-time work combined with a partial pension would be more appealing than full retirement, to two thirds of Europeans.

• 27% of Europeans aged 55 and over engage in activities and voluntary work in a variety of organisations and devote on average 14 hours per month to such activities.

• 36% of Europeans aged 55 and over have, over the past 12 months, provided support informally to other people outside their household. 15% are currently taking care of an older family member, and another 42% have done so in the past.

• The majority of Europeans believe that their country and local area are 'age-friendly'.

• In tackling the challenges of ageing populations, most respondents believe older people's organisations and other NGOs, as well as religious organisations and churches, play the most important role.

   

  For more information, see also: IP/12/16

  Special Eurobarometer 378: Active Ageing (Report and Factsheets)

  Flash Eurobarometer report (April 2009) on attitudes to intergenerational solidarity