[Survey on Work Attitudes and Reality 2026] Employment Rate for Women in Their 50s to 70s is 50.1%, One in Two is Working.

The Harumeku Institute for Living Well, which daily explores insights into people over 50 through marketing and research consulting for the No.1 selling magazine 'Harumeku' (※1), conducted a web-based survey on 'Work Attitudes and Reality' targeting women aged 50-79 nationwide.

(※1) Japan ABC Association Publisher Report (July-December 2025)

Key Survey Findings

■ The employment rate for women in their 50s to 70s is 50.1%. Among those in their 70s, both the employment rate and the desire to 'work until death' have increased.

■ The most desired future job type is 'clerical work.' Although a reference value, those in their 70s show a high interest in 'education' and 'welfare, nursing care, and childcare' jobs.

■ About half of currently employed individuals say their work style has 'changed' compared to three years ago. The trigger was 'due to personal desire or challenge' for about 40%. Over 90% view the change positively.

[Survey Background]

The Harumeku Institute for Living Well conducts research and analysis on senior insights. The notion of 'retirement = withdrawal' is becoming a thing of the past. A major transformation is occurring in the work styles of senior women. This survey targeted women in their 50s to 70s to investigate their current work styles and attitudes toward work.

[Survey Overview]

Method: Web survey

Target/Valid Responses: 451 women aged 50-79 nationwide

Survey Period: March 13 (Fri) to March 16 (Mon), 2026

　　　　　*2024 survey: March 29 (Fri) to April 1 (Mon)

Conducted by: Harumeku Age Marketing Co., Ltd., Harumeku Institute for Living Well

* Percentages are rounded to the second decimal place, so totals may not match the sum of individual items.

* When using the content of this release, please cite 'Harumeku Institute for Living Well survey' as the source.

* Interviews and comments from the director of the Harumeku Institute for Living Well are available.

Employment rate for women in their 50s to 70s is 50.1%.
Employment rate and desire to 'work until death' increase among those in their 70s.

The employment rate for women in their 50s to 70s is 50.1%.

The employment rate for those in their 70s was 23.3%, up 7.4 points from 15.9% in the previous survey.

When asked 'Until what age do you want to continue working?', 58.5% answered 'Until 70 or death.'
Among those in their 70s, this figure was 82.9%, up 8.3 points from 74.6% in the previous survey.

The most desired future job type is 'clerical work'.
Although a reference value, those in their 70s show a high interest in 'education' and 'welfare/nursing care/childcare' jobs.

Among those who want a new job, the most desired future job type is 'clerical work' at 32.8%. This is followed by 'education/lecturer/instructor' at 27.9%, 'service industry (food & beverage, leisure, etc.)' at 24.9%, and 'welfare/nursing care/childcare' at 21.9%.

Although a reference value, among those in their 70s, 'education/lecturer/instructor' was 31.0%, 3.1 points higher than the overall average, and 'welfare/nursing care/childcare' was 27.6%, 5.7 points higher.

■ Attitudes toward work (excerpts from free-form answers)

'Until now it was for income, but from now on I want to try what I want to do. To enjoy life.' (51 years old, not employed)

'Since I've already retired, I sometimes think about trying something new and different.' (56 years old, not employed)

'I want to use the knowledge I have (hospitality, customer service, language, etc.) for something.' (59 years old, part-time/part-time job)

'I want to continue being useful to someone.' (62 years old, part-time/part-time job)

'I want to do something that challenges how much I can utilize myself.' (63 years old, specialist/freelance/self-employed)

'I want to pass on all the skills I've been taught. I hope to convey that you can enjoy work even as you age.' (64 years old, part-time/part-time job)

'I love children and want to be around them. I also want to listen to their parents' worries.' (68 years old, not employed)

'I want to provide learning that children find fun and interesting.' (70 years old, part-time/part-time job)

'It helps me maintain a daily rhythm.' (77 years old, not employed)

About half of employed individuals say their work style has 'changed' compared to three years ago.
The trigger was 'due to personal desire or challenge' for about 40%. Over 90% view the change positively.

Among currently employed individuals, 49.1% answered 'yes' to the question 'Has your work style changed compared to three years ago?'

When asked about the trigger for the change, 'due to personal desire or challenge' and 'due to family, health, or other life reasons' were tied at 37.8%, the highest. Among those in their 50s, 'due to personal desire or challenge' reached 62.5%.

Regarding the evaluation of the change in work style, the combined percentage of those who 'view it positively' and 'view it somewhat positively' was 91.9%.

Expert Commentary

Yukie Umezu, Director, Harumeku Institute for Living Well

In her current position since 2016. She interviews approximately 900 seniors annually and conducts workshops, using these insights for magazine creation, product development, and advertising production. She captures the times and generations, predicting and creating a future half-step ahead.

Author of 'The Main Consumers are in Their 60s: The Front Line of the Senior Market' (Dobunkan Publishing), among others.

Changes Progressing Beneath the Surface of Stagnation: The New Norm of Senior Employment Pioneered by Those in Their 70s

The most notable change in this survey is not the employment rate itself, but the 'transformation of the meaning of work.' While the overall employment rate hasn't changed significantly, employment among women in their 70s has increased by 7 points, clearly raising the presence of this demographic. The desire to 'work until death' is also increasing, along with a strong willingness to take on new challenges. The assumption that work motivation declines with age is now beginning to waver significantly.

Behind this is a change in the purpose of work. For those in their 70s, work is no longer 'for money' but for 'connection with society and people,' 'maintaining a daily rhythm,' and 'finding purpose in life.' Furthermore, there is a strong desire to give back to society the knowledge and experience they have cultivated, which is reflected in their high interest in fields like education and welfare.

These changes are not limited to those in their 70s. Among currently employed individuals, about half of those over 50 said their 'work style has changed,' with 40% citing a change by their own will, and over 90% viewing it positively. This can be described as a shift from 'working out of necessity' to 'working by choice.' Free-form answers like 'I want to try something different from before' were prominent. This is supported by the expansion of flexible employment environments such as spot work like 'Timee' and resort work like 'Otsu-tabi.' The groundwork for challenging oneself regardless of age has been laid, encouraging this change.

Furthermore, the growth in the education and welfare sectors is an expression of the desire to give back experience and knowledge to society. Voices like 'giving back' and 'wanting to leave a legacy' indicate that work has become a place to fulfill one's role in society.

The work style for seniors is now entering a phase of 'redesign' rather than 'extension.' Work is self-actualization.