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Working and ageing
30 Guidance and counselling for mature learners

labour-market and organisational policies. The research addressed four main
questions:
(a) to what extent is there a sense of urgency among employers regarding
the ageing population and its consequences;
(b) what do employers see as the possible implications of an ageing
workforce for their organisations and what organisational policies are
implemented;
(c) which policies are currently implemented or considered in organisations
in response to labour supply shortages;
(d) which policies do employers prefer with regard to preventing a shrinking
labour force.
The answers to the questions formulated above will shed light on the
degree to which employers in Europe are aware of the ageing of the labour
force and its implications for the labour market. The questions were answered
with the aid of data from a set of comparative surveys carried out in five
European countries: Greece, Spain, Hungary, the Netherlands and the UK,
(Van Dalen et al, 2006, 2010; Henderikse and Schippers, 2006; Borsi et al.,
2008). Of course these five countries do not represent the view of employers
in the entire EU, but considering the diverse settings in these countries, the
picture offered gives insights into existing differences among European
countries. The highest labour force participation rate of workers over 55 years
is found in the UK (57%). In the Netherlands (46%), Spain (43%) and Greece
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(42%) the rate is much lower and Hungary is at the end of the line with 33% ( ).
Also the actual retirement age of men and women in the countries studied
differs, statutorily as well as effectively.
Data collection took place from March to October 2005 except for Hungary
where the survey could not be carried out before the spring of 2008 for lack
of funding. The total number of completed questionnaires amounts to over
2 300 and cover all sectors of the economy.

2.4. Findings

2.4.1. Challenges for the future labour market
Attitudes and policies of employers regarding an ageing workforce will be
affected by their perception of threats and opportunities in the labour market.
What do European employers perceive as the main challenges for the future

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( ) Eurostat, 2005 – the year the research was carried out.