The Evolution of (Post) Pandemic Labour Market Outcomes of Older Workers in Europe

ABSTRACT

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused extensive work disruptions, particularly affecting older workers, defined as those aged 50 and above. Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we examine the relationship between work disruptions during the first pandemic wave and later labour market outcomes. Workers experiencing disruptions had a higher probability of labour market withdrawal in 2021 and 2022. Patterns vary across welfare regimes, with labour market exit more strongly associated with retirement in Mediterranean countries and restricted non‐employment (unemployment or homemaking) in Central‐Eastern Europe, while results for Nordic countries are less conclusive.