The rise in youth unemployment is one of the most notable consequences of the European economic crisis. In the first quarter of 2013, seven EU members (Ireland, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy and Slovakia) had youth unemployment rates above 30 percent in the 15-to-24 age range, with Spain and Portugal seeing rates above 50 percent. Youth unemployment in Croatia, which is set to become the European Union's 28th member in July, is also above 50 percent. The distribution of joblessness is not equal within countries. In Spain, for example, youth unemployment reached 62.3 percent in the southern region of Andalusia, considerably higher than the 40.6 percent registered in Navarre in the north. In Italy, rates vary from 11.6 percent in the northern province of Bolzano to 53.5 percent in the southern province of Calabria. Such disparities are a reminder that, on top of the divisions between the core and the periphery of the eurozone, member states also have significant internal economic differences.
The causes of youth unemployment in the European Union vary from one country to another, but there are some common elements. Because of the crisis, the labor market has become more competitive. The recession has affected young people more than older workers because the young people have fewer qualifications and less experience, and businesses can more easily fire them, especially those working under temporary labor contracts. Because of the unemployment crisis, many young people in the European periphery decide to emigrate. Others seek employment in the informal economy, accepting lower wages and giving up the most basic labor protection rights. In both cases, states lose tax revenue. While the European Union will likely commit more resources to fight youth unemployment, these policies will have little impact without structural reforms at the national level.
Η υπογράμμιση δικιά μου.... Όχι, πέρα από δουλοπάροικοι, εσωτερικοί ή εξωτερικοί, δεν βλέπω φως...
