Poll: workers seen as less hireable from age 55

A poll of 4,000 UK adults found the average age at which someone becomes undesirable to recruiters is 55. More than a third (36 per cent) of respondents felt job applicants were viewed as less desirable at 50 or younger, and 8 per cent said the cut-off was as early as 40. People aged 45 to 54 were the most likely to say candidates were seen as less desirable at 50 or younger, at 41 per cent. Only 10 per cent said they did not believe there was any age at which someone became less desirable to hire.

The findings were published by the Centre for Ageing Better and reported by People Management on 17 February 2026.