Dissertation_Paula Aleksandrowicz_12 ... - Jacobs University

Figure 12: Fulfilment of Stockholm target, 2007
Source: EC (2008: 32).
Within the EU, Poland occupies the second-worst position with regard to the
employment rate of older workers (29.2% in the second quarter of 2007) and is also in the
last ranks regarding the average exit age (59.3; 61.4 for men and 57.5 for women; Eurostat
data 31 ). Germany is located in the middle, the employment rate of older workers reached 52
per cent in 2007. It has, however, made less progress than Poland since 2001 regarding the
increase of the average exit age and much is to be done to fulfil the requirement of a five
years higher exit age by 2010. Latest data, available for 2007, give an exit age of 62 (62.6
for men and 61.5. for women), the increase since 2001 amounting to 1.4 years in the case of
Germany and 3 years in the case of Poland
The rear position of Poland has to be qualified in an important respect: Due to the still
valid standard retirement age for women of 60 years, the fulfilment of an employment rate
of 50 percent among senior workers is almost impossible (Davoine 2006: 61). But even if
another indicator as mark of success with regard to active ageing is employed – whether
there has been a halt or even a reversal of the falling average retirement age and
employment rates of the 50-64-year-olds, Poland has not made progress – with the
exception of employment rates of 50-54-year-old men and women.
31 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_SDDS/Annexes/lfsi_act_a_esms_an1.htm.
92