Group III: Below Stockholm but Approaching Fast

Abstract

Of those nations that were still below the Stockholm target, some had made more progress than others. Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg were still under this 50% goal for 55–64 year olds’ labour market participation and the latter two also remained the lowest among all EU15 nations for 55–64 year olds’ employment rates. However, in terms of the progress they had made, it must be acknowledged that these nations had the most ground to make up, having the lowest employment rates in 2001. Thus the increases they have made need to be considered and all three have surpassed the average rise for EU15 nations in total (9.6%).