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In industrialized countries, the activity rate of persons beyond the age of 50 is tending to decrease. However, the rate of decrease varies from one country to another and between men and women. In France especially, early retirement schemes have encouraged workers to leave the labour market at an early age, despite the longer contribution period required to obtain a full pension entitlement. The improved economic situation since 1997 has not increased the activity rate of the over-fifty age group. Indeed, the mean duration of activity is continuing to decrease for men and is stablilizing for women. It is qualified workers who have the longest duration of activity after age 50. Part-time employment is preferred by a growing number of workers at the end of their career, either as part of a progressive early retirement scheme or simply through personal choice. When workers in their fifties become unemployed, their chances of finding another job are lower than for other categories of the active population. However, in general terms, the number of workers over fifty in employment has increased sharply over the last ten years, as the baby boom generation reaches this age.