The EU Youth Report calls for employment and social inclusion
The EU Youth Report, produced by the European Commission, sets priorities for Europe’s youth policy every three years. The latest Youth Report was adopted yesterday and calls for youth employment, social inclusion, health and the well-being of young people as top priorities.
As youth unemployment is still a growing problem in Europe, and it has increased by 50% since the onset of the crisis, from an average of 15% in February 2008 to 22.5% in July this year. Latest figures released by Eurostat show that highest rates are in Greece (53.8%) and Spain (52.9%). Across the EU, more than 30% of young unemployed have been jobless for more than a year. There are, however, signs of hope on the horizon: the report finds that nearly all Member States are implementing the EU Youth Strategy, which aims to create more and better opportunities for young people and to promote active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity. Since the previous report in 2009, Member States have strengthened education, employment and entrepreneurship initiatives aimed at young people. Levels of youth participation in associations and social movements have remained high.
“I am deeply concerned by the effects of the crisis on young people. Far too many of them are at risk of social exclusion and poverty. Young people are our future and I am committed to strengthening our policies and programmes in education, training and youth in order to increase their job prospects and opportunities in life,” said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The EU Youth report is scheduled to be adopted in November as a Joint Council–Commission Report.
