The "average age on leaving the labour market" indicator enables the moment at which people leave the labour force at the end of their working life to be synthesised into one key figure.
Note *: age of the reference population
Labour market exits take place at any age but an increase in exits can be observed after the age of 58. This coincides with the minimum age for receiving a pension from the 2nd pillar. The upper age limit of 75 was chosen because the share of employed persons is very small after the age of 75.
The average age on leaving the labour market was 64.8 in 2022, down from the peak in 2017 (65.8).
The different ordinary (legal) retirement age of men and women is reflected in this indicator: on average, men leave the labour market somewhat later than women (average of the past five years: 0.8 years later). The average age on leaving the labour market also varies depending on employment status, nationality, economic activity and occupation: Self-employed persons, Swiss nationals and persons employed in agriculture and forestry remain economically active longer than average on the labour market. In contrast, persons employed in the economic activities “Banking and insurance” leave the labour market considerably earlier.
For the indicator presented above, one hour of work per week is enough to be considered active on the labour market (international definition according to International Labour Organisation (ILO)). However, a significant share of people in the observed age group first reduce their work-time before giving up employment altogether: if, in addition to stopping employment, a reduction in work-time percentage to less than 20% or less than 50% respectively were also considered as withdrawing from the labour market, the average leaving age would be proportionately lower.
Two alternative measurements are made:
- Actual labour market exits plus employed persons who within one year have reduced their work-time percentage of 20% or more to less than 20%.
- Actual labour market exits plus employed persons who within one year have reduced their work-time percentage of 50% or more to less than 50%.
International comparison
The OECD publishes an "average effective age of retirement" indicator. This indicator is also calculated using a "labour market approach" and is based on the Labour Force Surveys (these correspond at international level to the SLFS). In other respects, the calculation methods are very different*. Although the OECD indicator has the advantage of being comparable at international level, it is less precise because of the use of 5-years age groups at intervals of 5 years .
Note *: OECD calculation
The OECD calculation is based on the employment rates of 5-year age groups at 5-year intervals using independent samples (no longitudinal analyses of persons). A decline in the activity rate, for example, between the activity rates of 50 to 54 year olds in 2009 and that of the 55 to 59 year olds in 2014, is considered to be the result of exits from the labour market. This decrease is weighted by the mean age of the age groups (e.g. decrease between ages 50 to 54 and ages 55 to 59 => age 55).
Further information
Statistical sources and concepts
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Labour ForceEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
- Tel.
- +41 58 463 64 00
Monday to Friday
9.00–11.30 and 14.00–16.00