People in Malta can expect to spend an average of 39 years in the workforce over their lifetime, placing the country among those with the longest expected working lives in the European Union, according to the latest Eurostat figures.Across the EU, the average expected working life has risen to 37.2 years, continuing a long-term upward trend driven by higher employment rates and longer careers. Since 2016, the average has increased by more than two years.The Netherlands tops the list, with people expected to work for 43.8 years, followed by Sweden (43.0 years), Denmark (42.5 years), Estonia (41.4 years), Ireland (40.4 years) and Germany (40 years). At the other end of the scale are Romania (32.7 years), Italy (32.8 years) and Bulgaria (34.8 years).The data also shows a clear gender gap across Europe. Men are expected to spend an average of 39.2 years in the labour market, compared with 35 years for women.Eurostat defines the indicator as the estimated number of years a person aged 15 and over is expected to remain economically active throughout their lifetime, based on current employment, unemployment and life expectancy trends.Malta has seen one of the biggest improvements in the EU over the past decade, with expected working life increasing by more than five years since 2015, largely driven by a sharp rise in women’s participation in the labour market.What do you make of this?Credit: Eurostat•