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Elderly Participation in the Market Reaches Historic High and Transforms the Dynamics of Work in the Country
The presence of workers over 60 years old in the Brazilian market reached, in 2024, the highest rate since the beginning of the series of the Social Indicators Synthesis from IBGE, published since 2012.
As a result, one in four elderly individuals remains active, redefining the age composition of the workforce and altering the relationship between aging and professional activity in the country.
Historical Growth of Elderly Participation in the Labor Market
The employment level of Brazilians over 60 years old maintained an upward trend after the pandemic and, therefore, reached 24.4% in 2024. This result surpasses that of 2019, when the rate was 23.1%, and represents the highest point in the last 12 years.
According to IBGE, the increase in life expectancy to 76.6 years and the pension reform, which established a minimum age of 62 for women and 65 for men, are driving prolonged participation in the market.
Decrease in Unemployment and Improvement in Elderly Employability
After the critical phase of the pandemic, when elderly employment fell below 20%, the unemployment rate has continuously declined.
Last year, only 2.9% of elderly individuals were unsuccessfully seeking jobs (the lowest figure since 2015), when the rate was 2.5%.
The socioeconomic analyst Jefferson Mariano from IBGE highlights that unemployment at its lowest historical level contributed to increasing the absorption of workers over 60 years old.
According to him, if the market remains heated, the trend is for continuous growth in participation, especially among those between 60 and 69 years old.
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Underutilization Decreases, but Informality Remains High
The combined rate of underutilization among the elderly has also decreased. It reached 13.2% in 2024, the lowest value since 2016, and includes individuals who work less than they wish, who are unemployed, or who have not recently sought a job.
Still, as Mariano points out, informality remains high, as many elderly individuals cannot remain in their original jobs and therefore migrate to unregistered occupations.
For the analyst, obstacles to formalization persist, which explains the maintenance of this scenario even in light of the overall improvement in indicators.
Differences Between Men and Women Remain Pronounced
IBGE’s data reveals a significant difference between genders.
The male participation in the market after 60 years reached 34.2%, while the female rate reached 16.7%.
According to the institute, this disparity arises from the responsibilities attributed to reproductive work, such as family care and domestic tasks, which reduce women’s availability for paid activities at all ages.
Demographic and Institutional Factors Shape New Work Dynamics
The combination of increased longevity, new pension rules, and a consistent drop in unemployment indicates a profound transformation in the relationship between aging and work.
Moreover, the continuity of this movement is expected to reinforce the presence of the elderly population in the workforce, reshaping the dynamics of the Brazilian market.
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