CROSS-NATIONAL ANALYSIS OF LABOR-FORCE PARTICIPATION OF OLDER MEN AND WOMEN

This article provides a cross-national analysis of labor force participation rates for persons 55 and older, using a sample of 151 countries. Labor force participation rates of older persons vary widely across countries in response to economic, demographic, and cultural differences. Participation rates are much higher in the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America than those in the developed countries of Europe and North America. As low-income countries continue the development process and achieve gains in real income, will the age of retirement decline as it has in the developed countries? Will economic stagnation or decline reverse the historical trend toward lower participation rates of the elderly? What is the retirement response during the demographic transition as the population ages? The historical decline in participation rates at older ages, which has been experienced around the world may not be an irreversible trend. The changes in participation rates are determined by economic and demographic events. This historical trend may have been brought to a halt or even reversed in some countries. -from Authors