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DID YOU KNOW?

People are living longer
The average age of the workforce is rising. By 2025 half of the adult population will be aged 50 and over. (Age Partnership Group)

Businesses need to retain older workers longer to avoid skill shortages.
The South West Region has the highest proportion of older people in England and is one of only two regions to have a greater number of retirement age residents than children under the age of 16. (Age Partnership Group)

Since the 1970’s there has been an increase in the number of young people extending their education into further and higher education.
This will mean recruitment problems for employers who do not adjust their hiring practices to include older workers. (Age Partnership Group)

Live 30 years longer
Life expectancy increased by 30 years in the 20th century. (Office for National Statistics)

In 1950, the life expectancy of a 65 year old male was 12 years.
In 2004, it was 19 years. The forecast for 2051 is for 22 further years. (Government Actuary’s Department)

84% of men over thee age of 45 were working in 1979.
Despite longer lives and greater fitness, only 69% were working in 2000. (L.S.E.)

Long-term unemployment increases with age:
50% of long-term unemployed people aged 45 years and older never return to work. (L.F.S.)

Older people are more successful in business
Small businesses started by people aged 45 years and older are twice as likely to succeed as businesses started by younger people (Warwick B.S.)

Counting the cost of Age Discrimination
The cost of age discrimination to the economy is £5.5 billion to Government Tax and benefits and £31 billion in lost production. (E.F.A.)

Median gross weekly earnings for people in full time work in their 40’s are £475
This is compared to £415 for those in their 50’s. (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2005)

In 50% of companies, over 50’s make up less than 10% of the workforce
Although they represent 30% of people of working age and, frequently, over 50% of the customer base (Institute of Directors, 2002)

It's More Healthy to Work
A 50+ redundant male is 50% more likely to die of respiratory diseases than a working male (NHS Statistics)

92% of 50-54 year old women with working partners are in work
This is compared to 52% of women with non-working partners. (Department for Work and Pensions Research Report 200, 2003)