Despite frequent political speeches placing youth at the top of the agenda, the newly published reports on youth unemployment reveal a starkly different picture. The ground reality shows a concerning lack of targeted initiatives to address this pressing issue.

While youth unemployment rates are declining in some areas, the precarity of available jobs is on the rise. This increase in unstable and insecure employment should be equally alarming to European leaders.

Young people are once again drawing the short straw and it is a high time for the European Institutions to deliver on their promises and prioritize the creation of quality jobs. The youth deserve better, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure a brighter, more secure future for them.

Explore the full reports to understand the depth of the issue and the urgent need for effective solutions. Join us in advocating for meaningful change and holding leaders accountable.

It's time for action. It's time for quality jobs.

Download them here:

Italy

Poland

Romania

Slovenia

Spain

Each report covers:

• Trends and Challenges: Understand the current trends in youth employment and the unique challenges young people face in the job market today.
• Support Policies: Learn about the different policies aimed at directly supporting youth employment and providing social protection.
• Education and Training: Discover the initiatives focused on enhancing education and training opportunities for young people.
• Youth Guarantee: Get an overview of the Youth Guarantee policies and how they fit into each country's National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
• Actionable Recommendations: Each report concludes with practical policy suggestions to improve youth employment outcomes.

These reports aim to shine a light on how youth employment policies have evolved since the financial crisis of 2008 and compare them to those during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to significant job losses, especially for young people in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and services. This disproportionate impact highlights issues of discrimination that need to be addressed.

These reports dive into the challenges young people face in the job market across Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia & Serbia. They analyse the protection of labour and social rights, the quality of available jobs, the issues of NEETs (young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training), and the brain drain problem. They also map out government efforts to improve youth employment and analyze how trade unions are fighting for better job opportunities. Despite different situations in each country, the research uncovers common issues and solutions. 

The results paint a similar picture to youth polcies in the EU. Governments and public employment services need a comprehensive strategy for implementing youth employment and quality job policies, recognizing the crucial role of social partners. Efforts should focus on better outreach and communication to inform young people about existing programs. Additionally, more effective use of European and international funds is necessary to improve youth employment and strengthen social dialogue. Trade unions should invest more in attracting and organizing young people, sharing best practices to enhance efforts and knowledge across different regions.

Check out these reports & download them here.

Albania

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Kosovo

Montenegro

Northern Macedonia

Serbia