In order to contain this imbalance, the Lisbon Strategy set ambitious goals regarding employment rates of workers between the ages of 55 and 64 by 2010, which should reach 50%.

Upon the Lisbon Strategy's deadline, it is clear that the goal was not achieved for the European Union. The average employment rate for seniors in Europe increased from 38.0% in 2000 to only 46.3% in 2010, with France ranking only twentieth in Europe (the rate increased from 29.4% in 2000 to 39.7% in 2010).

The Paris Region did not achieve the goal either but was distinguished from the rest of France by very quickly nearly doing so: the employment rate for seniors was 47.7% in 2004. Unfortunately, it was unable to continue at this pace and never reached the 50% level. At the same time, all of the German Länder succeeded in meeting the goal that had been set for them.

Despite its lag behind other major European regions and the failure to achieve the 50% rate in 2010, the Paris Region still remains the top French region by far in terms of employment of seniors. In 2010, the capital region had an employment rate for ages 55-64 not only 9.0 points greater than the national rate (48.7% compared to 39.7%) but also exceeding the rate of the number two region (Rhône-Alpes) by more than 6 points. This dominant position of the Paris Region on the national level is particularly explained by the fact that the employment rate for seniors is correlated with the education level. Despite everything, this top position should be put into perspective with a demographic factor: Paris Region seniors who choose to stop working often take the opportunity to move outside the Paris Region, which artificially increases the employment rate for seniors in the Paris Region.

For more information:
« Emploi des seniors : l'Ile-de-France en-deçà des objectifs de la stratégie de Lisbonne » [Employment of seniors: Paris Region below the Lisbon Strategy's objectives], Enjeux Ile-de-France du Crocis no. 139, of July 2011, study downloadable at www.crocis.ccip.fr