Finns retire at a significantly younger age on average than citizens of the other Nordic countries do.
Swedish men stay at work at times more than five years longer than their Finnish colleagues. Finnish men retire at slightly over the age of 60.
Swedish women also tend to work nearly two years longer than Finnish women do.
Finland is exceptional as a European country also in that women here stay at work longer than men. In other countries, men stop working at an older age than women do.
One reason for the differences lies in the Finnish unemployment pensions and early retirement schemes, which lead to “premature” retirement.
Some of the differences can also be explained by the fact that in Sweden, people can go on extended sickness leave before retirement.
The latest in the Nordic region to go on retirement are the Icelanders. Men in the country work until nearly 69, and women also work until they are over 65.
From next year, Norway will allow employees to work until they turn 75.
