The Situation of Unemployed People Aged Over 50 in the Polish Job Market: Analysis of the Phenomenon From 2000 to 2020

The article analyses changes in the unemployed population in the Polish job market from 2000 to 2020 focusing on people aged over 50. The analysis was based on two existing data sources: Statistics Poland and Eurostat. Empirical data were aggregated by gender to show the differentiation of this social problem between unemployed women and unemployed men. Statistical data clearly indicate that the share of people over 50 significantly increased in the unemployed population. It seems reasonable to argue that these people are disadvantaged in the dynamically changing job market. This group of the unemployed loses in the competition for vacancies with younger people who are better adapted to the rapid changes in the job market. The article also reviews the laws prohibiting age discrimination in the job market. The author give recommendations on how to improve the situation of the unemployed people aged over 50 in the job market, particularly in the face of ongoing technological changes.