Working age series to be replaced with aged 16-64 years from August 2010 — female state pension age change

At present, a number of headline labour market measures are described as working age, for example employment and inactivity rates. These working age measures are based on upper age limits of 59 for women and 64 for men, reflecting the current state pension ages in the UK. However, between 2010 and 2020, the state pension age for women will gradually increase, by one month every two months, from 60 to 65.

Following a public consultation and extensive discussions with key users within government, ONS has decided that, from August 2010, the current working age measures in the UK and regional Labour Market Statistical Bulletins with be replaced with headline measures based on those aged from 16 to 64 for both men and women. This change will bring the UK into line with current international practice.

There are no implications for the headline unemployment rate which will continue to be based on the economically active population aged 16 and over.

Throughout the UK and regional Labour Market Statistical Bulletins and all other Labour Market National Statistics outputs including Nomis, the current working-age series will be replaced by series based on those aged from 16 to 64 for both men and women. Where we currently show series based on men aged from 16 to 64 and women aged from 16 to 59, these will be replaced by series based on those aged from 16 to 64 for both men and women. Similarly, series based on men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over will be replaced by series based on those aged 65 and over for both men and women. Likewise series that currently use a working age denominator will change to a denominator based on those aged from 16 to 64 for both men and women.

The existing headline rates for UK employment and inactivity, based on women aged from 16-59 and men aged from 16-64 will continue to be published every month, for a limited period, in the ONS Labour Market Statistical Bulletin Historical Supplement, but not in the Statistical Bulletin itself nor on Nomis.

ONS will also publish, in the Labour Force Survey Historical Quarterly Supplement, a rate that follows the incremental increases in the female state pension age.