"The European Union has set ambitious aims concerning the employment of older persons. In March 2001 the Stockholm European Council agreed on the aim of increasing the employment rate of the EU population aged 55-64 to 50%. This article uses data from the European Labour Force Survey 2006 to analyse the employment rates of this age group in the EU-15. In most EU countries only highly qualified menaged 55-64 have an employment rate over 50%. The low skilled and women in particular are rarely employed over 55 years of age. The authors conclude that ending early retirement policies is not sufficient to increase their employment rates. Drawing lessons from the EU countries with the highest employment rates for older employees (Sweden and Denmark) they identify five major additional areas of action."

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