Employment rates for US workers aged 55 to 64 stand at 63.8 percent. Legal protections under the ADEA cover individuals age 40 and older. Research connects perceived age discrimination to elevated stress, reduced health outcomes, and measurable effects on productivity.
Key Takeaways
- In the U.S., the EEOC’s “Age Discrimination” page states that “older workers are protected under the ADEA,” covering individuals age 40 and older (U.S.)
- EEOC states that individuals can file a charge with EEOC within 180 days of an alleged unlawful employment practice (U.S.)
- The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s “Age discrimination” guidance notes that the Equality Act 2010 protects people from age-related discrimination (UK)
- A 2024 report by Gartner estimated that worldwide HR technology spending would reach $11.3 billion in 2024 and $14.4 billion in 2025, influencing HR analytics used to manage workforce risks including discrimination (global)
- A 2022 Gallup survey found that 61% of U.S. employees strongly agree that they feel cared for at work; lack of inclusion (including age) is associated with lower engagement (U.S.)
- A 2024 Deloitte survey found 80% of respondents believe inclusion and belonging are important to business success, which intersects with age-inclusive workplaces (global)
- A 2017 peer-reviewed meta-analysis found that perceived workplace discrimination is associated with increased stress and adverse health outcomes with a pooled effect size (global)
- A 2020 peer-reviewed study in Psychological Bulletin concluded that chronic stressors, including discrimination, are associated with worse health outcomes (global)
- In the U.S., the National Academies’ 2022 report estimated that discrimination can reduce labor productivity and participation, with quantified welfare impacts for inequities (global)
- A 2023 World Economic Forum report estimated that by 2030, 375 million workers worldwide may need to switch occupational categories due to automation (global), raising risk of age-related discrimination during transitions
- A 2018 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Organizational Behavior found that age diversity in teams is associated with improved performance under certain conditions (global)
- In a 2019 OECD report, employment protection and active labor market policies for older workers are linked to higher employment rates; the report provides age-related employment stats by country (OECD)
- The OECD reported in 2023 that employment rates decline with age after late-50s, emphasizing the need for age-inclusive policies (OECD)
- In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median age of employed persons was 42.4 years in 2023 (U.S.)
- BLS reported that in 2023, employment among those 55-64 years was 63.8% (U.S.), relevant to older-worker retention (U.S.)
Age discrimination protections and inclusion policies are crucial as employment rates, stress, and productivity decline with age bias.
Related reading
01 · Category
Legal/policy Context6 stats
01
In the U.S., the EEOC’s “Age Discrimination” page states that “older workers are protected under the ADEA,” covering individuals age 40 and older (U.S.)
02
EEOC states that individuals can file a charge with EEOC within 180 days of an alleged unlawful employment practice (U.S.)
03
The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s “Age discrimination” guidance notes that the Equality Act 2010 protects people from age-related discrimination (UK)
04
The EU Employment Equality Directive 2000/78/EC sets a framework for combating discrimination on grounds of age in employment and occupation across EU member states (EU)
05
Canada’s Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment (Canada)
06
In the U.S., OSHA reports that the typical investigation outcomes include monetary settlements in discrimination matters; ADEA claims may follow the ADEA framework for remedies (U.S.)
Interpretation
Legal/policy Context Interpretation
Across the legal and policy landscape, age discrimination protections hinge on clear eligibility and enforcement timelines, with the U.S. covering workers aged 40 and over under the ADEA and allowing EEOC charges within 180 days, while similar age-based frameworks exist in the UK, the EU, and Canada.
02 · Category
Business/costs3 stats
01
A 2024 report by Gartner estimated that worldwide HR technology spending would reach $11.3 billion in 2024 and $14.4 billion in 2025, influencing HR analytics used to manage workforce risks including discrimination (global)
02
A 2022 Gallup survey found that 61% of U.S. employees strongly agree that they feel cared for at work; lack of inclusion (including age) is associated with lower engagement (U.S.)
03
A 2024 Deloitte survey found 80% of respondents believe inclusion and belonging are important to business success, which intersects with age-inclusive workplaces (global)
Interpretation
Business/costs Interpretation
With HR technology spending projected by Gartner to rise from $11.3 billion in 2024 to $14.4 billion in 2025, and surveys showing 80% of respondents at Deloitte linking inclusion and belonging to business success, the business case for tackling age discrimination is increasingly tied to budgeted investments and measurable workplace outcomes.
03 · Category
Health & Impact4 stats
01
A 2017 peer-reviewed meta-analysis found that perceived workplace discrimination is associated with increased stress and adverse health outcomes with a pooled effect size (global)
02
A 2020 peer-reviewed study in Psychological Bulletin concluded that chronic stressors, including discrimination, are associated with worse health outcomes (global)
03
In the U.S., the National Academies’ 2022 report estimated that discrimination can reduce labor productivity and participation, with quantified welfare impacts for inequities (global)
04
A 2021 meta-analysis in Psychology and Aging reported that age stereotypes are associated with reduced performance under stereotype threat conditions, with measurable effect sizes (global)
Interpretation
Health & Impact Interpretation
Across Health & Impact findings, a 2017 meta-analysis links perceived workplace discrimination to increased stress and worse health outcomes, and a 2020 Psychological Bulletin study further supports that chronic stressors like discrimination are tied to poorer health, underscoring how age-based workplace bias can harm well-being as well as performance.
More related reading
04 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
A 2023 World Economic Forum report estimated that by 2030, 375 million workers worldwide may need to switch occupational categories due to automation (global), raising risk of age-related discrimination during transitions
02
A 2018 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Organizational Behavior found that age diversity in teams is associated with improved performance under certain conditions (global)
03
In a 2019 OECD report, employment protection and active labor market policies for older workers are linked to higher employment rates; the report provides age-related employment stats by country (OECD)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends are increasingly shaped by demographic pressure and policy choices, with a 2023 World Economic Forum estimate projecting that by 2030 as many as 375 million workers worldwide may have to change occupational categories, reinforcing the need for workplace practices that mitigate age discrimination during these transitions.
05 · Category
Workforce Outcomes5 stats
01
The OECD reported in 2023 that employment rates decline with age after late-50s, emphasizing the need for age-inclusive policies (OECD)
02
In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median age of employed persons was 42.4 years in 2023 (U.S.)
03
BLS reported that in 2023, employment among those 55-64 years was 63.8% (U.S.), relevant to older-worker retention (U.S.)
04
In Canada, Statistics Canada reported that persons aged 25 to 54 had an employment rate of 80.1% in 2023 (Canada)
05
In Japan, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that employment rate for people 65+ was 24.4% in 2023 (Japan), reflecting older worker labor market position (Japan)
Interpretation
Workforce Outcomes Interpretation
Across workforce outcomes, the data show employment rates vary sharply by age and country, such as the US dropping to 63.8% for ages 55 to 64 while Japan has only 24.4% employment for those 65 and older in 2023, underscoring the impact age discrimination can have on retaining older workers.
06 · Category
Labor Outcomes4 stats
01
In the EU, 8.5% of workers report they believe they were discriminated against in hiring or at work because of age or age-related characteristics (Eurobarometer, 2022).
02
In the EU, the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) found that 15% of workers report being treated unfairly or worse than others because of their age (indicator reported in 2021 EWCS results).
03
In the U.S., older workers (ages 55–64) had an employment rate of 63.8% in 2023, which reflects labor retention outcomes relevant to age discrimination impacts (BLS).
04
In the EU, 46% of employers reported that age diversity improves team performance, per Eurofound’s employer survey evidence summarized in a 2020 report on active ageing at work.
Interpretation
Labor Outcomes Interpretation
For labor outcomes, experiences of unfair treatment remain substantial with 8.5% of EU workers reporting age discrimination and 15% saying they are treated worse than others, while on the positive side older workers show a 63.8% employment rate in the US and 46% of EU employers link age diversity to better team performance.
report visual · Comparison
How age discrimination shows up across workplaces
Survey data suggest a measurable share of workers in Europe perceive unfair treatment or discrimination due to age, highlighting the workplace impact of age discrimination.
In the U.S., the EEOC’s “Age Discrimination” page states that “older workers are protected under the ADEA,” covering ind40
In the EU, the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) found that 15% of workers report being treated unfairly or wors
15%
In the EU, 8.5% of workers report they believe they were discriminated against in hiring or at work because of age or ag
8.5%
source-verifiedeuropa.eu · eurofound.europa.eu · eeoc.gov2022
Reference
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Age Discrimination In The Workplace Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/age-discrimination-in-the-workplace-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Age Discrimination In The Workplace Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/age-discrimination-in-the-workplace-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Age Discrimination In The Workplace Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/age-discrimination-in-the-workplace-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+5 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)