Swedes are among the longest-working citizens in the EU, with an expected working life of 43 years, just behind the Netherlands. This trend is influenced by factors such as pension systems, family policies, and labor demand. The data, released by Eurostat, highlights significant differences in working life expectancy across Europe.
Swedes Rank Second in EU for Longest Working Years
Swedes Rank Second in EU for Longest Working Years
An EU citizen is expected to work an average of 37.2 years. However, Sweden stands out, with Swedes working the second most after the Netherlands: 43 years.
The figures come from the EU's statistical office Eurostat and were released this summer. According to them, the expected working life for EU citizens has steadily increased over time, from an average of 34.9 years in 2015 to 37.2 years in 2024.
And the longest working lives are found in Northern Europe.
Iceland Leads – Sweden in Third Place
Looking solely at the EU, Sweden ranks second with an expected working life of 43 years, just behind the Netherlands' 43.8 years. Including EFTA countries, Sweden ranks third with Iceland at the top, with an expected working life of 46.3 years.
At the bottom of the EU is Romania, with 32.7 years, followed by Italy's 32.8. Outside the EU, Turkey has the shortest working life: 30.2 years.
Why Working Years Vary
The significant differences between countries have various explanations. Euronews spoke with experts, and one of them, university lecturer Timo Anttila at the University of Jyväskylä, says that factors explaining the expected working life include the countries' different pension systems and family policies. Another expert, Professor Moritz Hess at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, says that other factors include ageism and labor demand.
– If employers need labor, it increases labor force participation and extends working life, he tells Euronews.
Major Factor Behind the Numbers
Labor force participation, which is the proportion of the population that is in the labor force, i.e., has a job or is looking for a job, plays a significant role in determining the expected working life. This is because all individuals aged 15 or older are included in Eurostat's statistics, regardless of whether they are outside the labor market.
People outside the labor market include schoolchildren, retirees, and homemakers.
Expected life expectancy also plays a role.
It is important to note that the figures do not measure how long a workday or workweek is. Eurostat emphasizes that this measure only describes reality and does not indicate how long people should work.