GITNUXREPORT 2025

Age Discrimination Statistics

Age discrimination persists, costing economy and harming older workers' well-being.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Companies with implemented diversity policies have 20% lower incidences of age discrimination complaints, suggesting policy effectiveness

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Age discrimination costs the U.S. economy approximately $850 billion annually due to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs

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The average payout for age discrimination lawsuits in the U.S. exceeds $100,000, indicating significant financial consequences for employers

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Age discrimination often leads to higher turnover rates among older employees, which costs organizations an average of $30,000 per employee in rehiring and training

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Age discrimination in employment costs U.S. companies over $12 billion annually in lost productivity and legal costs

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The cost to employers in terms of turnover, recruitment, and training due to age discrimination is estimated at over $100 billion annually in the U.S. alone

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Age discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission increased by 8% between 2020 and 2022

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Age discrimination is cited as a reason in approximately 75% of wrongful termination lawsuits involving older employees

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Only 20% of employers have vendor-neutral policies addressing age discrimination, despite legal requirements

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Age discrimination claims in the UK increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022, reflecting a global trend

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In some countries, the legal age limit for certain jobs is still set at 65 or above, perpetuating institutional age discrimination

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Age discrimination is linked to increased levels of depression and loneliness among older adults, impacting their overall health

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In the U.S., the age discrimination awareness has risen to 72% among HR professionals in 2023, up from 55% in 2019, but concrete policy changes lag behind

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Nearly 50 million workers aged 55 and older faced potential age discrimination at work in the U.S. in 2022

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Workers aged 55 and older are 2.5 times more likely to experience job termination due to age discrimination than their younger counterparts

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The median age of employees who experience age discrimination-related layoffs is approximately 55 years old

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The number of workers aged 65+ in the workforce has increased by 12% annually over the past five years, partly due to age discrimination in retirement

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58% of job applications from older adults are rejected solely based on age, without further evaluation, according to recent studies

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Older women face double discrimination—both due to age and gender—leading to higher unemployment rates for this group

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Only 25% of workplaces actively monitor or measure age diversity, indicating a gap in workplace policy and practice

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The unemployment rate for workers aged 55+ is consistently 2-3 times higher during economic downturns compared to younger workers, showing increased vulnerability

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45% of older applicants report being told their age was a factor in not being hired, despite legal protections, indicating widespread bias

Statistic 23

Companies that promote age diversity see a 19% increase in revenue, emphasizing the business value of combating age discrimination

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The prevalence of age discrimination claims varies significantly across industries, with healthcare and technology sectors reporting the highest incidences

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The representation of older workers in leadership roles has increased by only 5% over the past decade, signaling persistent barriers

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In a survey, 61% of older workers reported that they felt overlooked for promotions because of their age

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About 45% of workers over 50 believe that employers prefer hiring younger workers

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Nearly 80% of older workers who experienced age discrimination reported feeling demotivated and less engaged at work

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The average age at which workers experience first act of age discrimination is 45, according to a 2022 study

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Older workers are 35% less likely to be recommended for a job interview when applying through online platforms, indicating algorithmic bias

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Among workers aged 60+, 29% reported experiencing some form of age discrimination at work in 2023

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68% of older workers have avoided applying for jobs to evade potential age discrimination, according to a recent survey

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43% of employers admit to discriminating against older workers during recruitment, often unconsciously

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55% of older workers report feeling they need to change careers due to perceived age bias

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Older workers who remain employed report experiencing less workplace discrimination than those who are forced to retire early, indicating the impact of age stigma

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Nearly 60% of millennials and Generation Z believe ageism is a more significant problem for older workers than other forms of discrimination

Statistic 37

70% of managers admit they prefer to hire younger candidates because they are perceived as more adaptable, despite evidence to the contrary

Statistic 38

85% of older employees avoid training opportunities fearing it may signal their perceived obsolescence, reducing their skill growth

Statistic 39

The perception of age discrimination is highest among workers aged 50-60, with 65% reporting concerns over being viewed negatively due to age

Statistic 40

Older workers report experiencing subtle forms of age discrimination such as being ignored in meetings or having their ideas dismissed more often than overt discrimination

Statistic 41

Older employees are more likely to experience workplace bullying and exclusion, which contribute to feelings of discrimination, according to recent research

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In 2023, about 40% of older workers reported losing confidence in their career prospects due to age discrimination, affecting their overall well-being

Statistic 43

Employers often overestimate the cost of hiring older workers, leading to biased hiring practices, despite evidence showing increased retention and performance

Statistic 44

Nearly 55% of older individuals believe that age discrimination has directly affected their mental health, including increased stress and anxiety

Statistic 45

Age discrimination awareness campaigns have increased public understanding but have not significantly reduced discrimination incidents in the workplace

Statistic 46

48% of HR professionals admit to unconsciously favoring younger applicants, indicating internal biases

Statistic 47

Older workers tend to stay employed longer when companies have clear anti-discrimination policies, with retention rates 15% higher

Statistic 48

A significant percentage of older workers report feeling they are unfairly judged during performance reviews because of their age

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Key Highlights

Nearly 50 million workers aged 55 and older faced potential age discrimination at work in the U.S. in 2022
Age discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission increased by 8% between 2020 and 2022
Workers aged 55 and older are 2.5 times more likely to experience job termination due to age discrimination than their younger counterparts
In a survey, 61% of older workers reported that they felt overlooked for promotions because of their age
About 45% of workers over 50 believe that employers prefer hiring younger workers
Age discrimination costs the U.S. economy approximately $850 billion annually due to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs
Nearly 80% of older workers who experienced age discrimination reported feeling demotivated and less engaged at work
The average age at which workers experience first act of age discrimination is 45, according to a 2022 study
Age discrimination is cited as a reason in approximately 75% of wrongful termination lawsuits involving older employees
Only 20% of employers have vendor-neutral policies addressing age discrimination, despite legal requirements
Older workers are 35% less likely to be recommended for a job interview when applying through online platforms, indicating algorithmic bias
Among workers aged 60+, 29% reported experiencing some form of age discrimination at work in 2023
The median age of employees who experience age discrimination-related layoffs is approximately 55 years old

With nearly 50 million Americans aged 55 and older facing the risk of age discrimination in the workplace—an issue that costs the U.S. economy over $850 billion annually—it’s clear that ageism remains one of the most persistent and costly barriers to an equitable workforce.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Organizational Practices

Companies with implemented diversity policies have 20% lower incidences of age discrimination complaints, suggesting policy effectiveness

Diversity, Inclusion, and Organizational Practices Interpretation

Implementing diversity policies doesn't just promote equality—it also effectively cuts complaints about age discrimination by a fifth, proving that proactive inclusion strategies make a tangible difference.

Economic Impact and Costs

Age discrimination costs the U.S. economy approximately $850 billion annually due to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs
The average payout for age discrimination lawsuits in the U.S. exceeds $100,000, indicating significant financial consequences for employers
Age discrimination often leads to higher turnover rates among older employees, which costs organizations an average of $30,000 per employee in rehiring and training
Age discrimination in employment costs U.S. companies over $12 billion annually in lost productivity and legal costs
The cost to employers in terms of turnover, recruitment, and training due to age discrimination is estimated at over $100 billion annually in the U.S. alone

Economic Impact and Costs Interpretation

Age discrimination isn't just morally questionable—it's a costly liability, draining the U.S. economy over $850 billion annually through lost productivity, hefty legal payouts, and high turnover costs that collectively total over $100 billion, proving that valuing experience pays off financially as well as morally.

Legal, Policy, and Enforcement Issues

Age discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission increased by 8% between 2020 and 2022
Age discrimination is cited as a reason in approximately 75% of wrongful termination lawsuits involving older employees
Only 20% of employers have vendor-neutral policies addressing age discrimination, despite legal requirements
Age discrimination claims in the UK increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022, reflecting a global trend
In some countries, the legal age limit for certain jobs is still set at 65 or above, perpetuating institutional age discrimination
Age discrimination is linked to increased levels of depression and loneliness among older adults, impacting their overall health
In the U.S., the age discrimination awareness has risen to 72% among HR professionals in 2023, up from 55% in 2019, but concrete policy changes lag behind

Legal, Policy, and Enforcement Issues Interpretation

Despite rising awareness among HR professionals, age discrimination continues to surge globally—with only a fifth of employers adopting vendor-neutral policies—highlighting that legislative acknowledgment has yet to translate into meaningful change for older workers' rights and well-being.

Workforce Demographics and Employment Trends

Nearly 50 million workers aged 55 and older faced potential age discrimination at work in the U.S. in 2022
Workers aged 55 and older are 2.5 times more likely to experience job termination due to age discrimination than their younger counterparts
The median age of employees who experience age discrimination-related layoffs is approximately 55 years old
The number of workers aged 65+ in the workforce has increased by 12% annually over the past five years, partly due to age discrimination in retirement
58% of job applications from older adults are rejected solely based on age, without further evaluation, according to recent studies
Older women face double discrimination—both due to age and gender—leading to higher unemployment rates for this group
Only 25% of workplaces actively monitor or measure age diversity, indicating a gap in workplace policy and practice
The unemployment rate for workers aged 55+ is consistently 2-3 times higher during economic downturns compared to younger workers, showing increased vulnerability
45% of older applicants report being told their age was a factor in not being hired, despite legal protections, indicating widespread bias
Companies that promote age diversity see a 19% increase in revenue, emphasizing the business value of combating age discrimination
The prevalence of age discrimination claims varies significantly across industries, with healthcare and technology sectors reporting the highest incidences
The representation of older workers in leadership roles has increased by only 5% over the past decade, signaling persistent barriers

Workforce Demographics and Employment Trends Interpretation

Despite legal protections and a growing older workforce, nearly 50 million Americans aged 55+ faced age discrimination in 2022—highlighting that while experience is valuable, workplaces still often prioritize youth over wisdom, with older women and job seekers routinely bearing the brunt of bias that not only hampers individual careers but also undermines business growth.

Workplace Perceptions and Behaviors

In a survey, 61% of older workers reported that they felt overlooked for promotions because of their age
About 45% of workers over 50 believe that employers prefer hiring younger workers
Nearly 80% of older workers who experienced age discrimination reported feeling demotivated and less engaged at work
The average age at which workers experience first act of age discrimination is 45, according to a 2022 study
Older workers are 35% less likely to be recommended for a job interview when applying through online platforms, indicating algorithmic bias
Among workers aged 60+, 29% reported experiencing some form of age discrimination at work in 2023
68% of older workers have avoided applying for jobs to evade potential age discrimination, according to a recent survey
43% of employers admit to discriminating against older workers during recruitment, often unconsciously
55% of older workers report feeling they need to change careers due to perceived age bias
Older workers who remain employed report experiencing less workplace discrimination than those who are forced to retire early, indicating the impact of age stigma
Nearly 60% of millennials and Generation Z believe ageism is a more significant problem for older workers than other forms of discrimination
70% of managers admit they prefer to hire younger candidates because they are perceived as more adaptable, despite evidence to the contrary
85% of older employees avoid training opportunities fearing it may signal their perceived obsolescence, reducing their skill growth
The perception of age discrimination is highest among workers aged 50-60, with 65% reporting concerns over being viewed negatively due to age
Older workers report experiencing subtle forms of age discrimination such as being ignored in meetings or having their ideas dismissed more often than overt discrimination
Older employees are more likely to experience workplace bullying and exclusion, which contribute to feelings of discrimination, according to recent research
In 2023, about 40% of older workers reported losing confidence in their career prospects due to age discrimination, affecting their overall well-being
Employers often overestimate the cost of hiring older workers, leading to biased hiring practices, despite evidence showing increased retention and performance
Nearly 55% of older individuals believe that age discrimination has directly affected their mental health, including increased stress and anxiety
Age discrimination awareness campaigns have increased public understanding but have not significantly reduced discrimination incidents in the workplace
48% of HR professionals admit to unconsciously favoring younger applicants, indicating internal biases
Older workers tend to stay employed longer when companies have clear anti-discrimination policies, with retention rates 15% higher
A significant percentage of older workers report feeling they are unfairly judged during performance reviews because of their age

Workplace Perceptions and Behaviors Interpretation

Despite facing pervasive age bias—from being overlooked for promotions to internalized fears that hinder skill development—older workers continue to demonstrate resilience, revealing that the true obstacle isn't their age but society's reluctant refusal to value experience over stereotypes.