EU Ministers of Employment and Social Policy discuss the workforce participation of older workers

EU Ministers of Employment and Social Policy discuss the workforce participation of older workers

On 10 March 2025, the Council of the EU held a meeting with Employment and Social Policy Ministers, where they held a debate on the ‘Challenges of the Silver Transformation: Incentives and systemic solutions for promoting voluntary, extended professional activity of older persons’. Ministers discussed ways to encourage older people to stay in or return to the workforce, with the aim of mitigating labour and skills shortages while also preventing or alleviating poverty among older people in the EU.

The debate focused in particular on the role of the European Semester in addressing ageing-related challenges and opportunities. Points raised by member states included the importance of helping older people upskill and reskill for new careers, combating negative stereotypes, and recognising the particular challenges faced by older women. A number of ministers also shared examples of policy incentives used in their countries to promote longer working lives.

More information on the debate is available here.