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Is it time for a change?
The concept of working age probably emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by the Industrial Revolution and the development of modern labor economics. As societies transitioned from agricultural to industrial economies, understanding the age structure of the workforce became essential for effective economic planning.
Legislative milestones, such as the Factory Act of 1833 and the Education Act of 1918 in the UK, which respectively limited children’s working hours and raised the school leaving age from 12 to 14, reflected the establishment of a formal working age structure. These were intended to eliminate the exploitation of child labour and improve working conditions for workers (although exceptions still exist, such as for child artists).
While the lower limit is closely tied to child labour issues, the upper limit is based on global data showing that most people typically continue to work in paid employment until around age 64 or 65. After this point, participation rates begin to fall sharply.
This age range is a benchmark for developing employment policies, welfare systems, health services, and economic forecasting and analysis. It is also used by major world organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to ensure consistency in data collection and reporting across countries and over time.
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