Young People and the Labour Market: A Comparative Perspective

Only starting from the new millennium, the political, economic and social relevance of guaranteeing decent and productive employment for youth in developing and developed countries has finally been recognized as a priority challenge requiring decisive policy responses. While an urgent concern at the global level, youth employment is not only an issue for developing countries: in recent decades, both developed countries and countries in transition have also seen their labour markets incapable of integrating newcomers. Youth unemployment is at present a crucial issue in the EU policy agenda.