Research: Young People in Europe Today

We are happy to let you know that our association, in collaboration with three other partners – Municipality of Bassano del Grappa (Italy), Croatian Youth Network (Croatia), and the Association for Employment, Inclusion, and Development (ASEID – Spain) – has finally released the research titled “Youth in Europe Today.

This study aims to capture the needs and engagement levels of young people both at the European level and within the participating countries. The research is part of the 24-month YAMAG (Youth and Municipality Act Global) project, which involved the participation of young people aged between 18 and 29 years.

The study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data analysis and is organized into several chapters that examine: 1) socio-demographic aspects from the four participating countries, 2) the needs of young people in Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Romania, 3) their participation at the European level and within the involved countries, and 4) the political framework shaping youth experiences in Europe and, particularly, in these countries.

Despite efforts by the European Union to promote youth involvement across all societal sectors, underrepresentation, disillusionment, disappointment, and distrust in societal institutions are increasingly prevalent feelings among young people, highlighting a clear lack of support. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social exclusion among youth, leading to increased isolation within their communities.

The findings of “Youth in Europe Today” underline a unanimous call from Italian, Spanish, Croatian, and Romanian youth for institutional support to improve both working conditions and the quality of educational offerings, as well as to facilitate the transition from school to university and into the workforce. Feelings of distrust, underrepresentation, and abandonment by governments and socio-political institutions are common across all four countries.

Although most partner countries (Spain, Romania, Italy) have implemented policies specifically targeting youth, focusing particularly on those who leave school early and those not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the impact of these policies varies significantly.

In Romania, the situation is particularly alarming with a NEET rate of 16.5% among those aged 15 to 29 years, higher among women (18.5%) compared to men (14.5%). In 2021, Romania reported a youth unemployment rate of 16.3%, higher among women (18.2%) compared to men (14.5%). A study on the influence of socio-economic factors on crime rates in Romania has linked higher unemployment rates to increased crime rates, with a unique correlation between rural environments and criminal behavior in the country. Romania also faces a significant challenge regarding early school leaving, with over 15% of Romanians aged 18 to 24 having dropped out after completing at most lower secondary education in 2021, the highest percentage in the European Union. Those most affected are young people from ethnic minorities, impoverished families, or rural areas.

Unemployment among young people remains a concern in Romania, with a rate of 22.8% among those under 25 years old in 2022, ranking fourth among EU member countries. The high unemployment rate significantly contributes to increased crime among this demographic.

While the cultural backgrounds of the participating countries are distinct, the concerns and needs of their youth converge, transcending national specifics. Both the survey involving 217 respondents from the four countries and focus groups conducted in Italy, Spain, Romania, and Croatia during the project have highlighted a significant gap between the current needs of young people and the type of youth policies implemented in these countries. This gap underscores the urgent need for specific, comprehensive, and structural measures to improve opportunities and conditions for youth participation.

This research was conducted under the YAMAG project, co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The full research report, together with all the other materials developed during the project, are available here.