Journal article: Older workers’ employment rates are high in three EU countries (Sweden, Denmark, UK) and have risen substantially in Finland and the Netherlands in recent years. These five countries are also close to full employment, even if the factors behind their employment performance differ. Labour market institutions are a factor (moderate wage increases for older workers, better working conditions). In countries with a liberal strategy, early-retirement schemes have been abolished; older workers are requested to work and accept lower wages, which is allowed by labour market flexibility. In Nordic countries, the active ageing strategy relies on a social mobilisation to increase jobs available for older workers and to give them incentives to work longer. The article concludes that France should consider the experience from Nordic countries to set up a fruitful social compromise.