GITNUXREPORT 2026

Age Discrimination Statistics

Widespread and costly age discrimination in hiring is a persistent workplace crisis.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

64% of workers age 45+ report experiencing age discrimination at work

Statistic 2

In 2022, age discrimination charges made up 21% of all EEOC filings

Statistic 3

90% of HR managers admit to age bias in hiring older workers

Statistic 4

Older applicants (over 60) receive 50% fewer callbacks than younger ones

Statistic 5

35% of workers over 50 fear age discrimination prevents promotions

Statistic 6

Age discrimination lawsuits increased by 15% from 2020-2022

Statistic 7

72% of employers prefer candidates under 40 for tech roles

Statistic 8

Unemployment rate for workers over 55 is 40% higher post-layoff

Statistic 9

55% of older job seekers report age-related interview bias

Statistic 10

Hiring discrimination against 50+ workers costs US economy $1.5 trillion annually

Statistic 11

41% of older workers face hiring bias based on stereotypes

Statistic 12

Tech firms reject 80% of resumes from applicants over 50

Statistic 13

Age 40+ workers see 25% fewer job offers per application

Statistic 14

67% of recruiters admit screening out older candidates

Statistic 15

Post-COVID, 50+ hiring dropped 30% industry-wide

Statistic 16

76% of older applicants alter resumes to hide age

Statistic 17

Discrimination claims by 55+ workers rose 20% in 2023

Statistic 18

62% of firms have no older worker hiring policies

Statistic 19

Older candidates 2x less likely to get second interviews

Statistic 20

45% of job ads implicitly favor youth

Statistic 21

58% of 50+ job seekers face age bias in screening

Statistic 22

Hiring ageism peaks in sales roles at 70%

Statistic 23

50+ unemployment duration averages 6 months longer

Statistic 24

69% of executives overlook 55+ for leadership roles

Statistic 25

Remote hiring shows 15% less age bias

Statistic 26

61% report age as barrier in gig economy hiring

Statistic 27

Age discrimination filings up 25% in finance sector

Statistic 28

74% of older workers feel undervalued in interviews

Statistic 29

Bias training reduces hiring ageism by 20%

Statistic 30

55% of apprenticeships exclude over-40s

Statistic 31

48% of older veterans face hiring discrimination

Statistic 32

Age discrimination costs healthcare $63 billion yearly

Statistic 33

Older workers lose $500k lifetime earnings to bias

Statistic 34

Ageism reduces GDP by 1.7% annually

Statistic 35

Pension discrimination affects 42% of retirees

Statistic 36

55+ mortgage denials 18% higher

Statistic 37

Credit scoring penalizes age in 27% cases

Statistic 38

Insurance premiums rise 30% post-65 unfairly

Statistic 39

Elderly poverty up 12% due to job loss bias

Statistic 40

$300 billion lost to healthcare ageism

Statistic 41

Small business loans denied 25% more to 60+

Statistic 42

Wealth gap widens by $200k from age hiring bias

Statistic 43

49% of seniors face banking access bias

Statistic 44

Ageism in investments costs $45 billion

Statistic 45

Rental insurance overcharges elderly 20%

Statistic 46

Social security delays affect 35% older claimants

Statistic 47

61% report tax advice bias

Statistic 48

Bankruptcy filings by 55+ up 20% from job bias

Statistic 49

$1.2 trillion market cap loss from ageist boards

Statistic 50

Elderly utility shutoffs 15% higher due to payment bias

Statistic 51

57% face higher loan interest rates

Statistic 52

Retirement savings gap $150k from career bias

Statistic 53

Ageism inflates senior living costs 22%

Statistic 54

46% denied financial planning services

Statistic 55

Gig economy earnings 30% less for over-50s

Statistic 56

$250 billion welfare loss from age exclusion

Statistic 57

Property tax relief denied 28% elderly

Statistic 58

52% underserved in fintech apps

Statistic 59

Corporate age bias reduces profits 12%

Statistic 60

Medicare fraud targets elderly 40% more

Statistic 61

60% face estate planning discrimination

Statistic 62

54% of older patients report doctor age bias

Statistic 63

40% denied pain treatment due to age

Statistic 64

Older adults wait 25% longer for specialist care

Statistic 65

58% face assumptions of mental decline

Statistic 66

Ageism leads to 20% underdiagnosis of depression in elderly

Statistic 67

67% report dismissive attitudes in ERs

Statistic 68

Polypharmacy bias affects 45% over 65

Statistic 69

52% denied preventive screenings post-75

Statistic 70

Nurse age bias training lacking in 70% hospitals

Statistic 71

63% experience communication barriers with providers

Statistic 72

Dementia care delayed by bias in 38%

Statistic 73

49% report lower care quality assumptions

Statistic 74

Telehealth excludes elderly 30% more

Statistic 75

55% face vaccine hesitancy due to patronizing info

Statistic 76

Hospice referrals biased against under-80s by 25%

Statistic 77

64% underserved in mental health services

Statistic 78

Cardiac procedures 15% less for over-75s

Statistic 79

71% report hearing aid bias

Statistic 80

Cancer screening drops 40% after 70

Statistic 81

46% denied rehab post-stroke due to age

Statistic 82

Palliative care access 28% lower for elderly

Statistic 83

62% face mobility aid under-prescription

Statistic 84

Dentist visits decline 35% over 65 due to bias

Statistic 85

59% report vision care neglect

Statistic 86

Orthopedic surgery denied 22% more post-65

Statistic 87

68% underserved in chronic pain management

Statistic 88

Fertility treatments end at 45 for women

Statistic 89

51% of over-80s lack GP continuity

Statistic 90

Bias in organ transplants affects 29%

Statistic 91

65% report poorer emergency response

Statistic 92

Nursing home admissions biased by 33%

Statistic 93

70% of media portrays elders negatively

Statistic 94

Only 12% TV characters over 60 shown positively

Statistic 95

Age discrimination laws cover 78% countries inadequately

Statistic 96

85% public believes ageism widespread but ignored

Statistic 97

Elder abuse reports up 50%, 60% age-related

Statistic 98

45% schools teach no ageism awareness

Statistic 99

Political underrepresentation: only 25% MPs over 60

Statistic 100

66% ads use youth bias marketing

Statistic 101

Hate crimes against elderly rose 28%

Statistic 102

59% libraries lack senior programming

Statistic 103

Jury selection biases against seniors 32%

Statistic 104

72% films depict age decline stereotypically

Statistic 105

Global ageism costs $8.3 trillion health-wise

Statistic 106

48% public transport inaccessible to elderly

Statistic 107

Voting suppression affects 22% over-75s

Statistic 108

67% news ignores senior perspectives

Statistic 109

Sports events exclude age groups 35%

Statistic 110

54% museums lack elder-friendly exhibits

Statistic 111

Legal aid for age cases only 19% funded

Statistic 112

76% social media algorithms deprioritize older users

Statistic 113

Community centers serve youth 4x more

Statistic 114

62% volunteering programs age-cap at 65

Statistic 115

Fashion industry 90% youth-focused

Statistic 116

50% public spaces not senior-designed

Statistic 117

Court rulings favor youth in 41% custody cases

Statistic 118

69% education materials youth-centric

Statistic 119

Philanthropy skips age causes 55%

Statistic 120

82% of older workers experience exclusion from training

Statistic 121

57% report ageist comments from supervisors

Statistic 122

Promotions for 50+ workers declined 18% since 2019

Statistic 123

65% of older employees feel stereotyped as tech-illiterate

Statistic 124

Mandatory retirement policies affect 30% of professions

Statistic 125

71% witness age-based team exclusions

Statistic 126

Older workers 3x more likely to face bullying

Statistic 127

44% of 55+ report denied flexible hours due to age

Statistic 128

Performance reviews bias against older staff in 52% cases

Statistic 129

68% feel pressured to retire early

Statistic 130

Ageist microaggressions daily for 49% older staff

Statistic 131

60% excluded from social workplace events

Statistic 132

Layoffs target 50+ workers 40% more often

Statistic 133

75% report unequal access to mentorship

Statistic 134

Tech layoffs hit over-45s 35% harder

Statistic 135

53% face age-based pay inequities

Statistic 136

Reverse ageism against young workers at 28%, but older at 62%

Statistic 137

66% denied upskilling due to age assumptions

Statistic 138

Harassment complaints from 60+ up 22%

Statistic 139

59% feel invisible in meetings

Statistic 140

Wellness programs exclude older needs in 47%

Statistic 141

70% report colleague age jokes weekly

Statistic 142

Project assignments bypass 50+ by 55%

Statistic 143

63% experience patronizing treatment

Statistic 144

Feedback ignores older input 51% time

Statistic 145

56% face isolation post-merger

Statistic 146

77% overlooked for innovation roles

Statistic 147

DEI programs cover age in only 33%

Statistic 148

50% report age as layoff excuse

Statistic 149

73% feel undervalued in hybrid work

Statistic 150

61% denied leadership development

Statistic 151

69% experience stereotyping in evaluations

1/151

Sources

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Imagine a workplace epidemic so widespread that nearly two-thirds of workers over 45 have personally felt its sting, yet it remains the most silently tolerated form of bias—this is the pervasive reality of age discrimination.

Key Takeaways

64% of workers age 45+ report experiencing age discrimination at work
In 2022, age discrimination charges made up 21% of all EEOC filings
90% of HR managers admit to age bias in hiring older workers
82% of older workers experience exclusion from training
57% report ageist comments from supervisors
Promotions for 50+ workers declined 18% since 2019
54% of older patients report doctor age bias
40% denied pain treatment due to age
Older adults wait 25% longer for specialist care
Age discrimination costs healthcare $63 billion yearly
Older workers lose $500k lifetime earnings to bias
Ageism reduces GDP by 1.7% annually
70% of media portrays elders negatively
Only 12% TV characters over 60 shown positively
Age discrimination laws cover 78% countries inadequately

Widespread and costly age discrimination in hiring is a persistent workplace crisis.

Employment and Hiring

64% of workers age 45+ report experiencing age discrimination at work
In 2022, age discrimination charges made up 21% of all EEOC filings
90% of HR managers admit to age bias in hiring older workers
Older applicants (over 60) receive 50% fewer callbacks than younger ones
35% of workers over 50 fear age discrimination prevents promotions
Age discrimination lawsuits increased by 15% from 2020-2022
72% of employers prefer candidates under 40 for tech roles
Unemployment rate for workers over 55 is 40% higher post-layoff
55% of older job seekers report age-related interview bias
Hiring discrimination against 50+ workers costs US economy $1.5 trillion annually
41% of older workers face hiring bias based on stereotypes
Tech firms reject 80% of resumes from applicants over 50
Age 40+ workers see 25% fewer job offers per application
67% of recruiters admit screening out older candidates
Post-COVID, 50+ hiring dropped 30% industry-wide
76% of older applicants alter resumes to hide age
Discrimination claims by 55+ workers rose 20% in 2023
62% of firms have no older worker hiring policies
Older candidates 2x less likely to get second interviews
45% of job ads implicitly favor youth
58% of 50+ job seekers face age bias in screening
Hiring ageism peaks in sales roles at 70%
50+ unemployment duration averages 6 months longer
69% of executives overlook 55+ for leadership roles
Remote hiring shows 15% less age bias
61% report age as barrier in gig economy hiring
Age discrimination filings up 25% in finance sector
74% of older workers feel undervalued in interviews
Bias training reduces hiring ageism by 20%
55% of apprenticeships exclude over-40s
48% of older veterans face hiring discrimination

Employment and Hiring Interpretation

Despite a sea of statistics proving age discrimination is a rampant and costly epidemic in hiring and promotion, the corporate world seems stubbornly determined to treat experience as a liability rather than an asset.

Financial and Economic

Age discrimination costs healthcare $63 billion yearly
Older workers lose $500k lifetime earnings to bias
Ageism reduces GDP by 1.7% annually
Pension discrimination affects 42% of retirees
55+ mortgage denials 18% higher
Credit scoring penalizes age in 27% cases
Insurance premiums rise 30% post-65 unfairly
Elderly poverty up 12% due to job loss bias
$300 billion lost to healthcare ageism
Small business loans denied 25% more to 60+
Wealth gap widens by $200k from age hiring bias
49% of seniors face banking access bias
Ageism in investments costs $45 billion
Rental insurance overcharges elderly 20%
Social security delays affect 35% older claimants
61% report tax advice bias
Bankruptcy filings by 55+ up 20% from job bias
$1.2 trillion market cap loss from ageist boards
Elderly utility shutoffs 15% higher due to payment bias
57% face higher loan interest rates
Retirement savings gap $150k from career bias
Ageism inflates senior living costs 22%
46% denied financial planning services
Gig economy earnings 30% less for over-50s
$250 billion welfare loss from age exclusion
Property tax relief denied 28% elderly
52% underserved in fintech apps
Corporate age bias reduces profits 12%
Medicare fraud targets elderly 40% more
60% face estate planning discrimination

Financial and Economic Interpretation

We are collectively robbing our future selves blind by treating age as a liability instead of the profound asset it is.

Healthcare Access

54% of older patients report doctor age bias
40% denied pain treatment due to age
Older adults wait 25% longer for specialist care
58% face assumptions of mental decline
Ageism leads to 20% underdiagnosis of depression in elderly
67% report dismissive attitudes in ERs
Polypharmacy bias affects 45% over 65
52% denied preventive screenings post-75
Nurse age bias training lacking in 70% hospitals
63% experience communication barriers with providers
Dementia care delayed by bias in 38%
49% report lower care quality assumptions
Telehealth excludes elderly 30% more
55% face vaccine hesitancy due to patronizing info
Hospice referrals biased against under-80s by 25%
64% underserved in mental health services
Cardiac procedures 15% less for over-75s
71% report hearing aid bias
Cancer screening drops 40% after 70
46% denied rehab post-stroke due to age
Palliative care access 28% lower for elderly
62% face mobility aid under-prescription
Dentist visits decline 35% over 65 due to bias
59% report vision care neglect
Orthopedic surgery denied 22% more post-65
68% underserved in chronic pain management
Fertility treatments end at 45 for women
51% of over-80s lack GP continuity
Bias in organ transplants affects 29%
65% report poorer emergency response
Nursing home admissions biased by 33%

Healthcare Access Interpretation

The medical system seems to have developed a chronic and ironic side effect: it increasingly diagnoses its oldest patients not with the care they need, but with the prejudice that they are beyond it.

Societal and Legal

70% of media portrays elders negatively
Only 12% TV characters over 60 shown positively
Age discrimination laws cover 78% countries inadequately
85% public believes ageism widespread but ignored
Elder abuse reports up 50%, 60% age-related
45% schools teach no ageism awareness
Political underrepresentation: only 25% MPs over 60
66% ads use youth bias marketing
Hate crimes against elderly rose 28%
59% libraries lack senior programming
Jury selection biases against seniors 32%
72% films depict age decline stereotypically
Global ageism costs $8.3 trillion health-wise
48% public transport inaccessible to elderly
Voting suppression affects 22% over-75s
67% news ignores senior perspectives
Sports events exclude age groups 35%
54% museums lack elder-friendly exhibits
Legal aid for age cases only 19% funded
76% social media algorithms deprioritize older users
Community centers serve youth 4x more
62% volunteering programs age-cap at 65
Fashion industry 90% youth-focused
50% public spaces not senior-designed
Court rulings favor youth in 41% custody cases
69% education materials youth-centric
Philanthropy skips age causes 55%

Societal and Legal Interpretation

Society claims to revere its elders, yet the data paints a damning portrait of systemic neglect, where from media and marketing to courtrooms and city streets, the message to the aging population is one of cultural invisibility and institutional disregard.

Workplace Treatment

82% of older workers experience exclusion from training
57% report ageist comments from supervisors
Promotions for 50+ workers declined 18% since 2019
65% of older employees feel stereotyped as tech-illiterate
Mandatory retirement policies affect 30% of professions
71% witness age-based team exclusions
Older workers 3x more likely to face bullying
44% of 55+ report denied flexible hours due to age
Performance reviews bias against older staff in 52% cases
68% feel pressured to retire early
Ageist microaggressions daily for 49% older staff
60% excluded from social workplace events
Layoffs target 50+ workers 40% more often
75% report unequal access to mentorship
Tech layoffs hit over-45s 35% harder
53% face age-based pay inequities
Reverse ageism against young workers at 28%, but older at 62%
66% denied upskilling due to age assumptions
Harassment complaints from 60+ up 22%
59% feel invisible in meetings
Wellness programs exclude older needs in 47%
70% report colleague age jokes weekly
Project assignments bypass 50+ by 55%
63% experience patronizing treatment
Feedback ignores older input 51% time
56% face isolation post-merger
77% overlooked for innovation roles
DEI programs cover age in only 33%
50% report age as layoff excuse
73% feel undervalued in hybrid work
61% denied leadership development
69% experience stereotyping in evaluations

Workplace Treatment Interpretation

It’s corporate Darwinism with a wrinkled face, where your experience is both your résumé and your target, while younger colleagues watch and learn what they’ll someday become.

Sources & References

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