The European Union's outermost regions (ORs) qualify for special treatment owing to structural difficulties – such as remoteness, difficult topography and economic dependence on a few products – that can severely hamper their development. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has hit their economies particularly hard. While these regions are quite different from one another, they have levels of unemployment and GDP significantly worse than EU and national averages. Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for specific measures to support the ORs, including the tailored application of EU law and access to EU programmes.

EPRS policy podcast - Outermost regions of the EU

It’s not always easy for young people to find a job. They are moreIt’s not always easy for young people to find a job. They are more likely to be unemployed than people in other age groups, and more vulnerable to job insecurity likely to be unemployed than people in other age groups, and more vulnerable to job insecurity.

This is what Europe is doing to tackle youth unemployment

The decline of Europe’s heavy industries has left many areas facing a range of challenges such as high unemployment, pollution and problems with urban development and infrastructure. This is how European structural and investment funds help depressed industrial areas overcome these challenges.

This is what Europe does for people living in depressed industrial areas

Are you unemployed and not sure what you can do? Whatever the reason for your situation, the EU is putting measures in place to fight unemployment. Here are three examples:

This is what Europe does for unemployed people

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges, including impact of the COVID situation.

The EU has only limited competence when it comes to social issues as most of it is up to national governments. The responsibility for employment and social policies lies mostly with the member states and their governments. This means that national governments - and not the EU - decide on issues such as wage regulations, including minimum wage, the role of collective bargaining, pensions systems and retirement age, and unemployment benefits.

However, over the years, the EU has been working on social issues throughout the European integration process and come up with a series of instruments in the social sector. These include EU laws, funds and tools to better coordinate and monitor national policies. The EU also encourages countries to share best practices on issues such as social inclusion, poverty and pensions.

One of the supporting tools is the European Social Fund+, with a total budget of €88 billion for next 7 years. It will play an important role in the implementation of the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights and in countering the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. It integrates the former European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) into one fund.

Social Europe

From childhood to retirement, social policies are important at all stages of our lives.

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges.

The effects of the economic crisis are still deeply felt in many member states and, even though things have improved in many countries, great disparities remain within the EU. Unemployment rates are decreasing overall, but vary strongly among EU countries.

Low birth rates and an aging population also challenge the sustainability of welfare systems. Working life is being transformed due by technological innovation, globalisation and the rise of the services sector. New business models in the sharing economy with more flexible forms of working are becoming more important.

Social Europe (2020)

José Manuel Barroso, President of the EC, presents his flagship plans to Parliament in his annual State of the Union speech on 12 September.

He outlines how the Commission envisages fighting the economic crisis by boosting growth, reducing unemployment and winning democratic support. A banking union, revamping the single market, and ideas for treaty changes are expected to feature prominently in this strategy.

State of the Union 2012

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU. Regions with a rapidly shrinking population are affected by a severe gap in the provision of social services (healthcare, cultural), physical (transport) and ICT connectivity, education and labour opportunities.

Depopulated regions are often low-income rural or post-industrial areas, with fewer job opportunities. The exodus of younger, skilled workers has further affected ageing, generation renewal and agricultural development. The economic crisis of 2008 led to young educated professionals from Southern and Eastern Europe moving to North-Western Europe. The Covid-19 crisis is likely to encourage this trend. Reduced economic activity and unemployment are expected to generate a new wave of migration by young people both within and between EU countries.

The European Parliament wants the demographic challenge to be a priority for the EU, alongside climate issues and the digital transition. A coordinated approach - integrating the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation across different EU policies - would also contribute to reversing negative demographic trends.

Demography in the EU

Jean-Claude Juncker served as President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019.

Since taking office on 1 November 2014, the Juncker Commission has dealt with a broad range of important issues, including climate change, Brexit, the Eurozone crisis, youth unemployment, migration, foreign interference in democratic processes and disinformation, attacks on fundamental rights and the rule of law, challenges posed by digitalisation, rising international tensions and numerous armed conflicts close to the EU’s external borders.

Review of the Juncker Commission

Parliament wants all workers to benefit from minimum rights on working conditions, including those on non-traditional contracts.

On 16th April 2019 MEPs approved minimum rights for workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs, like with Uber or Deliveroo. The new rules include: minimum rights agreed for workers in casual or short-term employment; working conditions that must be made clear to workers on their first day on the job, and probationary periods that may not be longer than six months.

How is the EU fighting youth unemployment? With more than 26 million Europeans out of work, unemployment is one of the biggest issues that Europe is facing today.

#EUelections2019 - Employment

Young woman looking for a job in an employment agency

Nasser ZEFZAFI  - This photo dated Thursday, May 18, 2017 shows Moroccan activist Nasser Zefzafi during a protest in al-Hoceima, in the northern Rif region, Morocco. Moroccan police say they have detained a leading activist, Nasser Zefzafi, responsible for organizing months of protests against corruption and unemployment.

SAKHAROV Prize 2018 Finalists

European Youth Event #EYE2018 - Discussion YOUNG AND OLD: keeping up with the digital revolution ' Youth unemployment: The race to zero '

EYE 2018 - Youth unemployment: The race to zero

EYE 2016 - Youth unemployment: Down to zero?

UNKN

Skills policies for fighting youth unemployment (short presentation)

Creating a competitive EU labour market for the 21st century - Social entrepreneurship and social innovation in combatting unemployment - Precarious employment

Implementation of the EU youth strategy 2010-2012 - Tackling youth unemployment: possible ways out (debate)

Reprogramming of the structural funds to better combat youth unemployment and help SMEs (debate)

Seminar - Stop to youngsters unemployment - Common session

THYSSEN, Marianne (EC) - Member of the EC in charge of Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility; NOVAKOV, Andrey (EPP, BG); HOFCHEN Carolyn; GLOBOKAR Lidija; LE COZ Bastien; KONSTANTINOU Athanasia

EYE 2016  ' Youth unemployment : down to zero ? '

ANDOR, Laszlo (HU); VON WEIZSACKER OFFICE, Jakob; DULLIEN, Sebastien - Professor for International Economics at HTW Berlin

Discussion ' Next Left Economic Circle - Towards a European Unemployment Insurance Scheme '  Discussion ' Next Left Economic Circle - Towards a European Unemployment Insurance Scheme '

PADOAN, Pier Carlo Padoan - Italian Minister for Economy and Finance

EMPL Committee meeting. Exchange of views with Italian Minister of Economy and Finance and presentation of the Minister's proposal for a European Unemployment insurance scheme

EMPL - CULT Joint Public Hearing on the reform of educational systems in Europe as a way to fight early school leaving, child poverty and youth unemployment

Presentation of a booklet on youth unemployment in the presence of European Commissioner in charge of Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

Youth Unemployment and Youth Guarantee

Family photo of the Citizens Agora on unemployment: Giving young people a say.

Elisabeth MORIN, Martin SCHULZ EP President, Isabelle DURANT

Citizens Agora 2013 on Youth unemployment. Family photo.

Isabelle DURANT, Martin SCHULZ EP President

Agora Press conference: Youth unemployment.

Conference on Youth Unemployment

Illustration of poverty in the streets of Brussels

British Labour MEPs wearing sashes to demonstrate against the rising unemployment rate in the UK. From left to right: Roland BOYES, Joyce G QUIN, Kenneth D COLLINS, Barbara A CASTLE, Winston James GRIFFITHS, Ann CLWYD, Richard G CABORN, Alan C ROGERS (exact date unknown)

Demonstration of Lorraine miner's

Demonstration of miners from Lorraine in Strasbourg

Demonstration of miners from Lorraine in Strasbourg, November 1978.

Youth unemployment, a lack of economic opportunities and difficult access to resources fuel violent armed groups and conflicts, which in return hinder socio-economic development. By 2030, two-thirds of the world's extreme poor could live in regions affected by conflict and violence. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Peace and security: conflicts and violence

MEPs question the Council and the Commission on efforts to tackle unemployment, poverty and discrimination faced by Roma people in several member states. Closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs.

Oral questions - Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU: closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs

MEPs question the Council and the Commission on efforts to tackle unemployment, poverty and discrimination faced by Roma people in several member states. Second part of the debate.

Oral questions - Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs question the Council and the Commission on efforts to tackle unemployment, poverty and discrimination faced by Roma people in several member states. First part of the debate.

Oral questions - Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs question the Council and the Commission on efforts to tackle unemployment, poverty and discrimination faced by Roma people in several member states. Opening statements by Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ (Renew, SK), rapporteur and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU: opening statements by Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ (Renew, SK), rapporteur, Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs, and Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

The first European citizens’ panel has been held in Strasbourg! For three days, 200 Europeans gathered for a historic exercise in participatory democracy. They discussed the economy and how to make it fairer and more resilient to crises, but also issues like the digital transformation and youth unemployment.

Conference on the Future of Europe: Europeans discuss a fairer economy

In her speech on the State of the European Union to the European Parliament, Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission spoke on how the European Union handled the health crisis, climate change challenges, digital agenda, youth unemployment, European Defence Union and Afghanistan crisis, over the last year. She also proposed a new law to fight violence against women. The President of the European Commission welcomed a special guest, a Paralympic gold medal winner, Beatrice Vio, as an example of the fighting spirit of the next European generation.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Highlights of the debate by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Parliament debates and approves the new European Social Fund (ESF+), with investments secured to combat youth unemployment and child poverty. Extracts from the debate, the votes and statement by David CASA (EPP, MT), rapporteur, Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE), Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE).

European Social Fund: extracts from the debate and statement by David CASA (EPP, MT), rapporteur

The new European Social Fund + integrates into one instrument the former European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI). This infoclip illustrates various projects funded by the European Social Fund or associated programs, such the Greek Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD/ΤΕΒΑ) in Athens (Greece), distribution of food to needies, Zelva in Ljubljana (Slovenia) for the inclusion of disabled persons, Carijou, a second-hand toy store located in Strasbourg (France) with back-to-work employees and Tremplin program in the Brussels region (Belgium) helping youngs to get into work through vocational training and apprenticeships.

Infoclip: European Social Fund - ESF+

During the crisis, the EU can provide financial assistance under the Sure programme in the form of loans granted on favourable terms to EU countries that request support. Assistance helps finance national short-time work schemes, unemployment benefits and similar job protection measures. This infoclip shows consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on jobs and employment.

Infoclip: Employment – Jobs impacted by the COVID-19 crisis

Parliament voted for a higher emissions reduction target for 2030 and said the Forest Strategy must be aligned with the European Green Deal. MEPs called for a rule of law mechanism to protect EU democracy, as well as common rules for crowdfunding and more money to help young people.

Plenary highlights: reducing CO2 emissions, rule of law and youth unemployment

Infoclip on the employment, unemployment and professional training in the perspective of the SOTEU (job seekers, professional training, various jobs...)

Infoclip: SOTEU debate - Employment

During the plenary session (21-24/10/2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs adopt a position on next year’s EU budget 2020, focussing on climate change, youth unemployment, Erasmus, migration and external policies. Statement by Kimmo TIILIKAINEN , Finnish State Secretary, EU Presidency.

Draft general budget of the European Union for 2020: extracts from the vote

On 15 May, six lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission, representing the big political families, presented their views on Europe. 84 TV channels and over  60 online platforms worldwide broadcasted or reported from the debate hosted by the European Parliament. Major EU issues like migration, youth unemployment, climate change, taxation and competition, the EU's role in the world and democracy were discussed.

Highlights of the Presidential debate

On 15 May 2019, the lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Manfred WEBER, lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), Ska KELLER, lead candidate of the European Greens (Greens), Nico CUÉ, lead candidate of the European Left (EL), Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as member of Team Europe, and Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) debate youth unemployment. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 1.

Presidency of the European Commission / Eurovision Debate - Topic 2: Youth unemployment. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 1

During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on the 2019 EU budget, boosting funds for growth and jobs, namely Erasmus+, climate protection, research, tackling migration and youth unemployment. The vote is followed by a the ceremony of signature. Statement by Jean ARTHUIS (ALDE, FR) and cutaways of Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Daniele VIOTTI (S&D, IT), Paul RÜBIG (EPP, AT), Jean Arthuis (ALDE, FR) and Jens GEIER (S&D, DE).

Budget 2019: extracts from the vote and from the ceremony of signature

During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the 2019 EU budget, boosting funds for growth and jobs, namely Erasmus+, climate protection, research, tackling migration and youth unemployment. Statements by Daniele VIOTTI (S&D, IT), Paul RÜBIG (EPP, AT), Juliane BOGNER-STRAUSS, Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Günther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, Eider GARDIAZÁBAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), Bernd KÖLMEL (ECR, DE), Jean ARTHUIS (ALDE, FR) and Liadh NÍ RIADA (GUE/NGL, IE).

New General Budget of the European Union for the financial year 2019: extracts from the debate (11/12)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament (10-13/09/2018) in Strasbourg, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, kicks off the debate in his fourth and last “State of the Union” speech. Eight months before the European elections are held in May 2019, MEPs will take stock of the Juncker Commission’s achievements to date. Statements by Jean-Claude JUNCKER on employment and youth unemployment in Europe, on the efforts of Greece to overcome crisis, on Western Balkans, on the need a strong and united Europe, on not militarising the European Union, on fights against terrorism to climate change, on Europe as a more sovereign actor in international relations and on the European elections

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