Caja Los Andes presented results from the Cincuentímeter study by Cadem on the wellbeing of people aged 50 and over in Chile. The nationally representative survey of 700 cases shows that 52% have experienced age discrimination in the last three years.
The study indicates discrimination occurs mainly during interviews or job applications, according to 63% of those affected. Other forms include lower salaries offered, reported by 46%, and comments or jokes, mentioned by 34%.
INE data cited shows the proportion of employed people aged 50 to 64 fell from 30% to 26% over ten years, while 27% of this group is outside the labor force. 63% of those not working cite their age as the main reason.
Tomás Zavala, general manager of Caja Los Andes, noted that Chile is aging at a pace for which it is not prepared. Roberto Izikson of Cadem added that ageism is now a real experience for one in two Chileans over 50.
