UCLA

Active ageing has become a policy concept that serves as an important response to the ageing of many societies, primarily because it is thought to lead to positive outcomes such as increased employment, productivity, health and other well-being into older ages. This article presents results of an analysis of the relationship between attaining qualifications at older ages and active ageing in later life. The analysis is based on data made available by the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Results of the analysis show that adults who attain higher levels of qualifications in mid to later life are associated with an increased probability of, being employed, participating in continued learning, and scoring higher on the PIAAC literacy scale when they are older. The findings suggest that open and flexible formal education structures at all levels is good for activating the population to be employed, to engage in continued learning and to develop and maintain literacy skills into older ages.