Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of tables and figures
- Notes on contributors
- one Introduction
- two Method and research design
- three Unemployment, integration and marginalisation: a comparative 29 perspective on 18- to-24-year olds in Finland, Sweden, Scotland and Spain
- four Processes of marginalisation at work: integration of young people 45 in the labour market through temporary employment
- five Recurrence of youth unemployment: a longitudinal comparative approach
- six Scheme participation and employment outcome of young unemployed people: empirical findings from nine European countries
- seven Youth participation in the labour market in Germany, Spain and Sweden
- eight Surviving unemployment: a question of money or families?
- nine Buffers and predictors of mental health problems among unemployed young women in countries with different breadwinner models
- ten Economic hardship, employment status and psychological wellbeing of young people in Europe
- eleven Welfare regimes and political activity among unemployed young people
- twelve Concluding remarks
- Appendix: Samples and attrition
- Index
one - Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2022
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of tables and figures
- Notes on contributors
- one Introduction
- two Method and research design
- three Unemployment, integration and marginalisation: a comparative 29 perspective on 18- to-24-year olds in Finland, Sweden, Scotland and Spain
- four Processes of marginalisation at work: integration of young people 45 in the labour market through temporary employment
- five Recurrence of youth unemployment: a longitudinal comparative approach
- six Scheme participation and employment outcome of young unemployed people: empirical findings from nine European countries
- seven Youth participation in the labour market in Germany, Spain and Sweden
- eight Surviving unemployment: a question of money or families?
- nine Buffers and predictors of mental health problems among unemployed young women in countries with different breadwinner models
- ten Economic hardship, employment status and psychological wellbeing of young people in Europe
- eleven Welfare regimes and political activity among unemployed young people
- twelve Concluding remarks
- Appendix: Samples and attrition
- Index
Summary
This book is based on data from a new comparative study of Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Europe (YUSE) data. Representative samples of unemployed youth were interviewed one year after they were registered as unemployed in 10 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain and Sweden. The various chapters analyse the situation of unemployed youth (aged 18- to 24-years-old) and their risk of social exclusion.
Throughout Europe, unemployment rates are higher among young people than among the general population and as a result there is a serious risk of their marginalisation and exclusion (EC, 1994a). In 2000, the rate of youth unemployment within the European Union (EU) was around 16%, more than twice the unemployment rate experienced by adults (7%). About 40% of the unemployed were younger than 25 years, although this age group comprises only 20% of the labour force. The increase in youth unemployment over the past decade has occurred despite a demographic decrease in youth and an increased level of education within most member states. European Union countries have seven million young unemployed people, and 40% of them are long-term unemployed, that is, unemployed for more than one year (OECD, 2001).
The unemployment rate has dropped since 2000 in most western European countries. However, both the unemployment rates for young people and the proportion of long-term unemployed are still very high in some countries. Italy, Spain and Finland have the highest youth unemployment and Italy in particular has a very high proportion of long-term unemployment. Sweden and France are in the middle, while Denmark, Germany and Norway have the lowest levels, in particular as regards long-term unemployment. Different countries have handled these problems in different ways, both regarding labour market measures and welfare policies. How do different welfare arrangements and labour market policies influence the situation of unemployed youth and their risk of social exclusion?
Defining social exclusion
The introduction of the concept of ‘social exclusion’ was initially adopted by the EU in order to avoid discussions about poverty. As Berghman wrote: “The concept was introduced by politicians in the European Commission and not by researchers.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion in EuropeA Comparative Study, pp. 1 - 20Publisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2003