Malta has one of the lowest figures of working older persons across the EU in spite of a considerable increase in work participation by persons aged between 55 and 64, a Eurobarometer study has found.

James Carabott, the national coordinator of the Committee for the European Year on Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, told the Social Affairs Committee that, by 2020, it would become automatic for elderly people to continue working beyond pensionable age because of manpower reasons.

 The study looked at formal employment among the elderly, healthy ageing, volunteering, and solidarity between generations.

It reported that workers over 55 were satisfied at their workplace but would not aspire to continue working after they reached 57 years.  Mr Carabott said that there was a common trend among Mediterranean countries where many had the wrong perception that retirement was bliss.

According to Eurobarometer, 77 per cent of elderly in Malta felt they were in good health. However, at 30 per cent, Malta had the highest percentage of obese elderly. It also had the lowest number of elderly persons engaged in physical activities.