This is how long people in Europe will work over their lifetime

Jul 1, 2020

With the collaboration of Statista.

A man looks at his mobile phone as he waits for a subway at a station at a business district in Tokyo, Japan, February 19, 2016. Confidence at Japanese manufacturers remained largely subdued in February and the mood was seen deteriorating over the coming three months, a Reuters poll showed, highlighting concerns about slowing global growth and turbulent markets. REUTERS/Yuya Shino TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - GF10000314709

The daily grind. Image: REUTERS/Yuya Shino

Niall McCarthy

Data Journalist, Statista

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Eurostat have forecast how long an average person in Europe can expect to work, depending where they live.
The average duration of working life across the European Union is 35.2 years, with Italy the shortest, at 32 years.
In wider Europe, Turkey has the shortest work duration, at 29.3 years and Iceland has the longest at 45.8 years.

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 2019. On average, the expected duration of working life in the European Union was 35.2 years - 3.6 years longer than in 2000. In individual member states, it ranges from 32 years in Italy to 42 years in Sweden.

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work employment 9-5 nine to five daily grind employment job Europe European countries country comparison age retirement job first job

The estimated working life of a 15 yer old in each European country. Image: Statista

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 29.3 years. In Iceland, however, a 15-year-old can expect to work for far longer - 45.8 years in total. Elsewhere, the duration of work is estimated at 42.6 years in Switzerland and 39.8 years in Norway.

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