In discussions around the generations, there is often a belief that older people are fundamentally better off than their younger peers, due in part to more affordable housing and free university education. Research from University College Dublin highlights that while that may speak to some older people, it’s certainly not representative of everyone.

“It is easy to think of low-paid workers as younger workers taking on temporary low-paid jobs as they transition into better-paid employment,” the researchers explain. “But this study draws our attention to the fact that older workers comprise one-fifth of the total low-paid population, with almost 1 in 6 workers over 50 receiving low pay.”

Old age poverty

The study finds that 20% of the 420,000 low-paid workers in Ireland are over 50 years of age. These workers were disproportionately likely to work in areas like healthcare and administration. They often remain in low-paid employment because of financial need, with their pension income inadequate to support them.

“This research underscores a need to understand the participation of older workers in the labor market beyond the perspectives of earnings and productivity,” the researchers explain. “While income is important for this group, their participation and continued participation as workers is also linked to other objectives including better lifestyle balance and social interaction.”

What’s more, these older low-paid workers were also much more likely to live in one or two-adult households, while also being the only worker in that household. Despite their low-paid work, many also owned their property and were mortgage free. This marks them out from other low-paid workers, who are much more likely to be renters and live in multi-worker households.

“Understanding the scale of this group, their probable growth over time, and the set of influences that determine their participation in low-paid employment carries important implications for future policies for older workers in general including policies around active aging and extended working lives,” the researchers conclude.

“This study provides substantial information on the commonalities and differences between older and younger low-paid workers. This provides us with new insights about low-paid older workers.”