Promoting Better Career Mobility for Longer Working Lives in Belgium

Demographic pressures and labour shortages increase the need to attract and retain mid-to-late career workers in the labour market. Providing workers of all ages with opportunities for labour market mobility and career progression can enable them to move into higher-quality jobs and promote longer working lives. Yet in many OECD countries, including Belgium, job mobility rates decrease with age, and older workers are more likely to make involuntary job transitions. This report identifies key trends and fields for policy action relating to mid-to-late career mobility in Belgium, and develops policy recommendations for promoting high-quality, voluntary job transitions. First, removing structural barriers to mobility and improving the design of work incentives can increase job mobility in the Belgian labour market and limit premature labour market exits. Second, further investment in age-friendly workplaces is needed to promote good working conditions and health across all age groups and firms. Finally, participation in education and training, and career guidance across the life course can enable transitions into higher-skilled and higher-quality employment.