Employed persons aged 65 to 74 numbered 31,700 in 2019

According to preliminary data of Statistics Finland's employment statistics for 2019, there were 31,700 employed persons aged 65 to 74 (ratio to the same-age population 4.5%). Over the 2000s, the employment rate of the population aged 65 to 74 has grown by 2.5 percentage points. Men's employment rate in this age group has been around one percentage point higher, on average, but during the 2010s the difference has diminished.

Number and employment rate (%) of employed persons aged 65 to 74 by sex in 2000 to 2019*

* Data are preliminary

At the end of 2019, there were 706,700 persons aged 65 to 74 in Finland, of whom 31,700 (4.5%) were employed persons. In this age group, there were 671,000 (95%) persons whose main activity was pensioner, 1,000 (0.1%) students and 3,000 (0.4%) in the inactive population. Around 80 per cent (25,000 persons) of employed persons aged 65 to 74 received a pension.

During the 2000s and 2010s, the employment rate of the population aged 65 to 74, that is, the share of the employed among the population of the same age, has grown by 2.5 percentage points. Men's employment rate in this age group has been one percentage point higher, on average. During the 2010s, the difference has, however, decreased, as in 2019, men's and women's employment rates were fairly close to each other (men's 4.7% and women's 4.3%).

In 2000, there were 8,300 employed persons aged 65 to 74 and the age group’s employment rate was slightly under two per cent. Employment in the age group rose over the decade so that in 2010 the employment rate was 3.5 per cent (17,000 employed persons). At the beginning of the 2010s, employment continued to grow in the age group, and in 2014, the employment rate was 4.2 per cent (26,000 employed persons). During 2014 to 2018, the number of employed persons aged 65 to 74 has remained stable, but the employment rate of the age group fell slightly (the employment rate was 3.7 per cent in 2018).

Employment rate highest among persons aged 65 to 74 for those with doctorate level degrees

The employment rate of those aged 65 to 74 with doctorate level degrees was 14.5 per cent (1,200 employed persons) in 2019. Employment was second highest for those aged 65 to 74 with higher university degrees (8.0%). Those aged 65 to 74 who had no education or had an unknown level of education had an employment rate of around 2.7 per cent.

The most common qualification for employed persons aged 65 to 74 with doctorate level degrees was Doctor of Medicinal Sciences: one quarter had a Doctor of Medicinal Sciences degree (around 300 persons). The most common degrees for employed persons in the age group with higher university degrees were: Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws, Licentiate of Medicine and Specialist Degree in Medicine.

Share of employed persons aged 65 to 74 among the population of the same age by level of education in 2019

There were some differences between regions in the employment of persons aged 65 to 74. In Åland, the employment rate of this age group was highest, 10.5 per cent. The employment rate of the age group in Ostrobothnia and Uusimaa was 5.6 per cent. The employment rate was lowest for those aged 65 to 74 in North Karelia (3.1%)

Source: Employment Statistics, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Meri Juuti 029 551 3061, info@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

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Updated 14.12.2020

Referencing instructions:

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Employment [e-publication].
ISSN=2323-6825. profession and socio economic position 2019. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 6.11.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tyokay/2019/01/tyokay_2019_01_2020-12-14_tie_001_en.html