26/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - Employment rate among 20-64 year olds tops 70%. The employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 in the European Union rose from 69.2% in 2014 to 70.1% last year, the EU's Statistical Office (Eurostat) announced on Tuesday 26 April, following its latest labour force survey. The EU is progressing towards achievement of its target of an employment rate of at least 75% by 2020. Currently six member states (Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia and Netherlands) have reached this target. The increase in the employment rate has been helped by the significant rise in the number of workers aged between 55 and 64. This age group is becoming increasingly active on the labour market (53.3% in 2015 compared with 38.4% in 2002). In 2015, the employment rate for men was 75.9% and for women it stood at 64.3%. It should be noted, however, that the 2015 rate is slightly below the 2008 peak of 70.3% across the EU before the crisis hit. (JK)