This is how long young Europeans will need to work before they can retire

Dec 12, 2019

With the collaboration of Statista.

15-year- olds can expect to work an average number of years depending on where in Europe they live. Image: Tim van der Kuip/Unsplash

Niall McCarthy

Data Journalist, Statista

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Education, Gender and Work

A 15-year-old can now expect to work for 36.2 years, on average, in the European Union
That's 3.3 years longer than in 2000 - but not as long as Norwegians and Swiss people will be working

Eurostat have released an interesting forecast about how long a person can expect to be active in the European labour market during his or her life. The data is measured in years and it's based on someone who was 15-years-old in 2018. On average, the expected duration of working life in the European Union was 36.2 years - 3.3 years longer than in 2000. In individual member states, it ranges from 31.8 years in Italy to 41.9 years in Sweden.

The data also includes several countries outside the EU and their figures are diverse. In Turkey for example, a 15-year-old can expect a working life of 29.4 years. In Iceland, however, a 15-year-old can expect to work for far longer - 46.3 years in total. Elsewhere, the duration of work is estimated at 42.7 years in Switzerland and 39.6 years in Norway.

Estimated duration of working life for a 15-year-old in 2018 (years).

In the EU, a 15-year-old can expect to work for 36.2 years, on average. Image: Statista

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