Employment Rates

The total employment rate for people in the EU27 aged 20 to 64, which is the age group targeted in the

Europe 2020 strategy, rose steadily from 66.8% in 2002 to 70.4% in 2008, then fell to 69.1% in 2009, and

decreased further in 2010 to 68.6%. The employment rate for women in this age group, which increased

continuously from 57.3% in 2000 to 63.0% in 2008, dropped for the first time in 2009 to 62.5%, then fell slightly

again in 2010 to 62.1%. In contrast, the rate for older people, i.e. those aged 55 to 64, has continued to grow,

reaching 46.3% in 2010, compared with 36.9% in 2000.

This information comes from a report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union,

based on the 2010 results of the European Labour Force Survey.

Highest employment rates in Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and Cyprus

In 2010, the employment rate for persons aged 20 to 64 was highest in Sweden (78.7%), the Netherlands

(76.8%), Denmark (76.1%), Cyprus (75.4%), Germany and Austria (both 74.9%). The lowest rates were

recorded in Malta (59.9%), Hungary (60.4%), Italy (61.1%), Spain (62.5%) and Romania (63.3%).

The employment rates for women aged 20 to 64 ranged from 41.4% in Malta and 49.5% in Italy to 75.7% in

Sweden and 73.1% in Denmark, while for men in this age group it varied between 63.6% in Lithuania and 65.1%

in Latvia, and 82.8% in the Netherlands and 82.5% in Cyprus. In all Member States, the male employment rate

was higher than the female rate in 2010, except in Lithuania.

The employment rates for those aged 55 to 64 were highest in Sweden (70.5%), Germany (57.7%), Denmark

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