The bar charts compare the proportions of men and women aged 60-64 who were employed in Belgium, the USA, Japan and Indonesia in 1970 and 2000.
Overall, employment rates for this age group declined markedly between 1970 and 2000 in all four countries, with the fall being particularly sharp for women. In both years, men were more likely than women to be employed in every country.
In 1970, employment levels were relatively high. Among men, the highest rate was in Indonesia (84%), followed by the USA (86%), Belgium (79%) and Japan (76%). For women, the figures were lower but still substantial, at 63% in Belgium, 78% in the USA, 56% in Japan and 65% in Indonesia. The gender gap was evident but not extreme, especially in the USA where female employment was only slightly below that of men.
By 2000, employment rates had fallen considerably. Male employment dropped to 52% in Belgium, 78% in the USA, 63% in Japan and 74% in Indonesia. The decline among women was even more dramatic. In Belgium, the figure plunged from 63% to just 8%. In the USA, it fell from 78% to 45%, while in Japan and Indonesia it decreased to 47% and 50% respectively.
In summary, over the thirty-year period, participation in work among people aged 60-64 decreased in all four countries, with women experiencing the most significant reductions, particularly in Belgium.