Five Characteristics of Youth Unemployment in Europe: Flexibility, Education, Migration, Family Legacies and EU Policy

Current levels of youth unemployment need to be understood in the context of increased labour market flexibility, an expansion of higher education, youth migration and family legacies of long-term unemployment. Compared with previous recessions, European-wide policies and investments have significantly increased with attempts to support national policies. By mapping these developments and debates we illustrate the different factors shaping the future of European labour markets. We argue that understanding youth unemployment requires a holistic approach that combines an analysis of changes in the economic sphere around labour market flexibility, skills attainment and employer demand, as well as understanding the impact of family legacies affecting increasingly polarised trajectories for young people today. The success of EU policy initiatives and investments will be shaped by the ability of national actors to implement these.