Today is the European Day of Solidarity between Generations, when Europe takes stock of the demographic challenges posed by an ageing population. Despite the fact that youth unemployment is more than twice as high as that of the adult population and that over 30% of young people are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, little focus is being made on the need to have solidarity with Europe’s youth.
The economic crisis that happened in 2008, and the subsequent imposition of austerity, has disproportionately affected young people. Not only has the youth unemployment rate spiraled from 15% in 2008 to it’s current high of 23.5%; long-term unemployment (LTU) has now reached unprecedented levels. Currently 30.1% of young unemployed people in the EU have been unemployed for 12 months or more. Considering that LTU when young can have profound effect on employability and career development in the medium to long-term, the current youth unemployment crisis could be felt in Europe for the next 20 years.
Inequality has become rife in Europe, not only between the generations but also geographically and socially. In Spain and Greece young people are paying the price for the economic mistakes of older generations, with a youth unemployment rate of 55.7% and 58.4% respectively. Earlier this year the International Labour Organization reported a sharp increase in the risk of social unrest in Europe with countries with a high level of youth unemployment most at risk. Despite these inter-generational inequalities young people are still not receiving adequate levels of support.
“We are facing a situation in Europe where, despite the fact that young people are more likely to be unemployed, at risk of poverty or social exclusion, there are cuts being made to youth services and young people’s rights to quality employment and social protection: this has to change” said Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum.
Despite initatives at European level to bring in a Youth Guarantee, which would seek to provide young people a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education, many member states have been slow to respond to the needs of their young people and have even applied austerity measures at vital youth services.
“The Youth Forum and its Member Organisations have been working to highlight the desperate situation of young people, and to oppose cuts that disproportinately affect youth, but there needs to be true inter-generational solidarity in order to safeguard Europe’s future” added Matjašič
[EN]
