Part 5/7:
The OBR's analysis suggests that even with substantial health improvements, the impact on workforce participation may be minimal. The odds of a working-age individual in poor health rejoining the labor force upon recovery are only 28%. This statistic paints a grim picture of the potential for recovery in workforce participation rates, especially as healthy life expectancy has already seen a decline—falling by 1.7 years for men and 1.9 years for women since the pandemic.