Over-50s drive 90% of UK employment growth over the past year

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New ONS labour market figures1 report that there are more people in employment today in the UK than ever before – 32.75 million.

Aviva’s analysis identifies that the over-50s have driven an incredible 90% of this employment growth over the past year. 319,000 of the 354,000 additional workers have been recorded in the over-50 age group.

Many are choosing to work longer, and many are having to work longer, to pay for a longer life in retirement. Employers must respond to this change in the employment market. Aviva is investing in ‘Mid-Life MOTs’ for its employees aged 45 and over, to ensure that age represents no barrier to opportunity.

Commenting, Alistair McQueen, Head of Savings & Retirement at Aviva said:

“Our working lives are changing, fast. A record number of us are working deep into our later lives. Today, there are 1.33 million people working beyond the age of 65 – more than ever before.

“Many are choosing to work longer. Many others are having to work longer to fund longer life in retirement. 

“Forward-thinking employers will respond to this changing world, and they will be rewarded for doing so, securing and retaining the best of this booming population.

“Aviva is investing in Mid-Life MOTs to provide targeted support for its employees aged 45 and over. Aviva is committed to ensuring that age is no barrier to opportunity.”

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Sources contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

References:

1.ONS Labour Market Statistics UK, July 2019 https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplein-work/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/july2019

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Fiona Whytock

Retirement, Savings and Investments

Notes to editors:

  • We are the UK's leading diversified insurer and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India and China.
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