France is witnessing a steady rise in employment among older workers, a trend partly attributed to recent pension reforms. A report from the Directorate for Research, Studies and Statistics (DARES) and the Ministry of Labor indicates that the employment rate for individuals aged 60 to 64 has reached 44.4%, marking a 2.1 percentage point increase from the previous year.
This uptick follows a significant decline in employment for this age group over the past decades. In 1975, 40.5% of individuals aged 60 to 64 were employed, but by 2001, this figure had dropped to just 10.8%. The 2023 pension reform, which raised the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 and extended the contribution period required for a full pension, is believed to have contributed to this positive shift.
Despite this progress, France's employment rate for older workers remains among the lowest in the European Union. Countries like Estonia, Sweden, and the Netherlands report significantly higher employment rates for individuals aged 60 to 64.
To further support older workers, a law passed in October 2025 requires companies with at least 300 employees to negotiate on senior employment. Additionally, "experience enhancement contracts" have been introduced to encourage the hiring of individuals in their 60s registered with France Travail, the public employment agency. However, some economists argue that these measures may not be sufficient to address the challenges faced by older workers in the labor market.
Ongoing discussions and strategic proposals aim to promote long-term societal change in valuing aging workers. Reports from the French High Commission for Strategy and Planning have called for the creation of a comprehensive policy for aging in the workplace, emphasizing lifelong professional training and smoother transitions between employment and retirement.
As France continues to implement and evaluate these reforms, the effectiveness of these measures in sustaining and further increasing older worker employment remains a key area of focus.