Is There a Right Age to Start Working? What Science and Research Actually Show

Every Indian household knows the reference point: Sharma ji ka ladka.
The ideal child. The unspoken benchmark. The one who finishes education on time and begins working right after college—often at 22.

Over the years, this age has quietly become shorthand for success. Young enough to be energetic, old enough to be responsible. Parents often state it as fact rather than belief. But does research actually support the idea that 22—or any specific age—is the “right” time to start working?

Science suggests the answer is more complex.

What research clearly warns against: starting too early

Across countries and income groups, studies consistently show that full-time work begun too early—especially before completing education—can have long-term negative effects. Research links premature entry into the workforce with lower educational attainment, reduced lifetime earnings, higher stress levels, and poorer health outcomes.

This is why most countries strictly regulate child and adolescent labour and prioritise education during formative years. Early income may look attractive in the short term, but data shows it often comes at the cost of future stability and growth.

In short, replacing education with early full-time work is not supported by evidence.

The important distinction most people miss

What research does support is part-time work during schooling, when done in moderation.

Studies reviewed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that limited, age-appropriate part-time work alongside education can actually support long-term career development. The key factor is balance.

When part-time work does not interfere with schooling, it often helps young people transition more smoothly into adult employment.

Skills developed through early part-time work

According to international longitudinal research, students who engage in moderate part-time work tend to build:

• Communication and interpersonal skills through real-world interaction

• Time management and discipline from balancing responsibilities

• Workplace awareness, including teamwork and accountability

• Greater confidence and clarity about career preferences

However, the same studies caution that excessive working hours can reverse these benefits, harming academic performance and increasing stress.

The takeaway is simple: early work helps when it complements education, not when it competes with it.

Why ages 22–25 appear so often in career data

Labour market patterns across developed and emerging economies show a consistent trajectory:

• Late teens: limited or seasonal work

• Early 20s: transition from education to employment

• Early to mid-20s: entry into stable full-time roles

This explains why ages 22 to 25 frequently appear as “starting points” for serious careers. It is not because science has crowned 22 as ideal, but because it usually coincides with completed education, higher skill readiness, and access to better-quality jobs.

In other words, Sharma ji ka ladka didn’t succeed because he started at 22. He succeeded because the timing aligned with preparation and readiness.

What research actually supports

There is no universally correct age to start working. What evidence consistently supports are three principles:

• Education should not be sacrificed for early earnings

• Part-time work during studies can build valuable skills when kept in check

• Full-time careers begun after completing education—often in the early 20s—tend to produce better long-term outcomes

So yes, someone may start working at 22. Someone else may start at 24, 27, or even later. Research shows that the calendar matters far less than preparedness, balance, and timing.

And perhaps that’s the most useful takeaway of all: careers are built on readiness, not race.