TIME FOR CHANGE?
The notion of working age probably emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by the industrial revolution and the development of modern labour economics. As societies transitioned from agrarian to industrial economies, understanding the age structure of the workforce became crucial for effective economic planning.
Legislative milestones, for instance, the UK’s Factory Act of 1833 and the Education Act 1918, which restricted children’s working hours and raised the school leaving age from 12 to 14 respectively, reflect the establishment of a formal working-age structure. These were aimed at eradicating child labour exploitation and improving workers’ conditions (although exceptions still exist, for example, for child artists).
While the lower limit is closely tied to issues surrounding child labour, the upper limit is based on global data indicating that the majority of people usually remain in paid work until around 64 or 65. After this, participation rates start to decline sharply.
This age range serves as a benchmark for designing employment policies, welfare systems, health services, and economic projections and analysis. Major world organisations like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), also use this classification, allowing for consistency in data collection and reporting across countries and over time.
Source: CNA
