Key facts
- The average expected working life in the EU was 37.5 years in 2025.
- The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark have the longest expected working lives.
- Romania, Italy, and Bulgaria have the shortest expected working lives.
- Men are expected to work approximately four years longer than women.
- Eurostat's figures reflect observed labor market participation, not legal retirement ages.
Across the European Union, the expected duration of working life varies significantly, with individuals in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark anticipating the longest careers. According to Eurostat data from 2025, the average expected working life for individuals aged 15 and over in the EU reached 37.5 years, an increase from previous years. This trend is occurring as many European nations grapple with demographic pressures, including longer life expectancies and lower birth rates, leading to reforms such as raising retirement ages.
Significant disparities exist between countries, with a notable north-south divide. Seven EU countries, including the Netherlands (44 years), Sweden (43.3 years), and Denmark (42.6 years), expect workers to remain in the labor force for 40 years or more. Conversely, Romania (32.7 years), Italy (33 years), and Bulgaria (34.6 years) report the shortest average working lives.
There is also a pronounced gender gap, with men across the EU expected to work approximately four years longer than women. Men in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark have the longest expected working lives, while women in Italy, Romania, and Greece face the shortest. Eurostat emphasizes that these figures reflect observed labor market participation patterns rather than legal retirement ages or policy mandates. Nevertheless, governments are increasingly implementing measures like increasing retirement ages and reducing early retirement options to address the strain on social and healthcare systems.