In 2024, the expected average duration of working life for 15-year-olds and over in the EU was 37.2 years. However, the expected average duration of working life varied broadly among EU countries.
In 6 EU countries, the average duration of working life was 40 years or higher: the Netherlands (43.8 years), Sweden (43.0), Denmark (42.5), Estonia (41.4), Ireland (40.4) and Germany (40.0). By contrast, the lowest working life durations were recorded in Romania (32.7 years), Italy (32.8) and Croatia, Greece and Bulgaria (each 34.8).
This information comes from data on employment and unemployment published by Eurostat. This article presents some of the findings from the more detailed account in the related Statistics Explained article. (....)