Research shows a significant gap between when dancers expect to retire and when they actually do
Learn how to interpret the research findings and apply them to your career planning
The bar chart shows the difference between when dancers expect to retire (Expectations) and when they actually do (Reality). The gap represents how much earlier careers typically end compared to expectations.
Use the country buttons to see how retirement patterns vary across different regions. This helps you understand the global context of dance career transitions and identify relevant benchmarks for your situation.
Use the statistics to create a realistic transition timeline. If the data shows dancers retire 7 years earlier than expected, it’s important to start planning your career change sooner than you think.
Source: Making Changes: Facilitating the Transition of Dancers
When dancers expect to retire vs. when they actually do
Dancers retired 14.4 years earlier than expected
The average age dancers expected to retire was 46.6
The average age dancers actually retired was 32.2
Dance careers are much shorter than you expect
Source: Making Changes: Facilitating the Transition of Dancers
Dancers retired 14.4 years earlier than expected
The average age dancers expected to retire was 46.6
The average age dancers actually retired was 32.2
Dance careers are much shorter than you expect
Understanding the data can help you make better decisions about your career transition
Dancers who understand that they need to plan for retirement sooner than they might want to, have significantly better outcomes in their next career.
Unfortunately, due to pressures of the industry and unhelpful narratives, professional dancers are often unprepared for life after dance.
We all know dance careers are short but we don’t think our dance careers will be short. Facing this reality head on will help you both as a dancer and in your life off the stage.
Start planning for before, during, and after your pivot with the Happy Trails course. This 5-year career change roadmap helps guide you through your career change journey — step by step.