Unemployment in the 55–64 age group has increased steadily for several years, from 4.5 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to 5.9 percent in the same period last year, according to Statistics Sweden. Although total unemployment has also increased, it has risen to a somewhat lesser extent.
This is in line with a comprehensive Ifau study from 2017 of 6,000 fictitious job applications, which showed that the chance of being contacted decreased starting at age 40. One of the report authors, Magnus Carlsson, a researcher at Linnaeus University, is certain of his point - age discrimination is widespread.
"Yes, definitely," he says, also referring to recent international studies.
"Good for those over 50"
But Erica Sundberg thinks the picture painted is misleading and thus contributes to the feeling of being excluded because of age. She is the operations manager at TRR, which helps laid-off white-collar workers in the private sector find new jobs.
"Many are worse off and find it more difficult," she says, "and I think it's an unfortunate image that's also not true."
"We don't recognize that picture at all when we look at our numbers. The 50-plus are doing well."
"Dare to stick your neck out"
The only difference is that it takes an additional month or so on average for the older workforce to find new employment, according to TRR statistics.
So what is said and heard in the debate is not true?
"Not for the group of white-collar workers in the private sector. I dare to stick my neck out and say that," says Erica Sundberg.
Caroline Söder, CEO of the sister organization for LO workers, TSL, agrees. The statistics show no discrimination, although she notices that many people believe it's driven by emotion.
Those who end up at TRR and TSL have a recent connection to the labor market. For older people with a slightly longer history of unemployment, it may be more difficult.
"So it may be true in other groups," says Söder.
There are indications
The Swedish Public Employment Service is increasingly registering people who do not come directly from employment. The agency's statistics show an increased proportion of older unemployed people in recent years, and that they have also been out of work for longer. Johan Roos works as an employment agent/job search expert and notices that many older people feel they have been left out.
"Absolutely, there is age discrimination," he says.
It doesn't have to be a case of employers consciously opting out, but they may have ideal images of who they want to hire, Roos says.
"There are beliefs about age and that can have an impact. It's hard to escape."
Olle Lindström/TT
Facts: Benefits of being older
TT
The Swedish Employment Agency points to the advantages for employers of also having older workers in the organization:
Life experience: They have a habit of meeting many different people and situations in both their professional and private lives. This means that they have, among other things, been trained in the ability to collaborate, build relationships and manage conflicts.
Customer understanding: A workplace with a low average age risks missing out on a growing customer group in society.
Part of the team: A success factor in teams is having a generational mix. Teams with age variation complement each other.
Stability: They have learned to manage stress through working life and research shows that they appreciate their work and are more committed, which means they stay with an employer longer.
Lower short-term absence: People over 55 have lower short-term absence compared to younger colleagues. They rarely take sick leave because the majority have passed the toddler years in family life.
Source: Swedish Employment Agency
