Data issues and indicators

Abstract

This chapter documents a variety of national and cross national quantitative data sets and indicators for people aged 50 and over, which also include gender-sensitive measures and/or indicators for health and socio-economic wellbeing. Special attention is given to longitudinal data setswith indicators on relevant lifecourse events covering child care activities, workforce participation and employment history.We give illustrative examples of some indicators and data sets as they pertain to issues associated to the duration of working lives. The context for this exploration of data sets starts with the definition across European countries of extended working life, which relates to institutional factors, norms, attitudes and status of labour markets and their implications for wellbeing in later life, accounting for gender issues where possible.