Introduction

Summary

In contemporary European societies, demographic, economic and social developments are forcing welfare states to adjust to new challenges. These trends have shifted the distribution of social risks, so that the young and the elderly are among the most vulnerable groups today in many European countries. Youth unemployment has increased by a dramatic 7.1 percentage points from 15.9% to 23% between 2002 and 2012 in the euro area. In addition, approximately one in five persons aged 65 or older among the 85 million elderly living in the EU countries are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The young and the elderly are substantially more vulnerable in the presence of intersecting high-risk characteristics, i.e. young and elderly women, migrants and their descendants. Th is book presents empirical analyses of social and economic risks that the young and the elderly face, of adequacy and sustainability of policies and of public support for social policies targeting these vulnerable groups. Intended for both academic researchers and policy analysts, it aims to spark debate on the tools for achieving a (more) inclusive society. Drawing on micro-level empirical data in order to build analyses from interdisciplinary and sometimes comparative perspectives, the articles collected in this book shed light on the degree and the mechanisms through which existing social policies protect against socio-economic risks of the young and the elderly, including lower educational achievements, poorer labour market outcomes and especially poverty. They also examine whether the current welfare arrangements are adequate and sustainable and whether the willingness of the citizens to support various social policies has eroded or not.

The literature on youth, including the chapters in this book, agree that the accumulation of human capital over the life course and the achievement of formal qualifications in particular, which requires youth to spend more time than ever before in education and training, is increasingly needed for the successful integration on the labour market. A growing proportion of youth pursue such degrees, but their transition to the labour market remains nevertheless difficult as many do not find paid employment quickly, and if they do, the quality of their employment is oft en poor.