Publications by subject - Population and society - 2011

This issue of Foundation Focus looks at job creation. The Great Recession has destroyed many jobs and the recovery has been shallow, with few new jobs being created. Where are new jobs going to come from? Eurofound looks at the care and education sectors as possible drivers of growth and at the skills needed for a greener economy. Foundation Focus also analyses where jobs were lost during the recession, both in terms of sectors and overall numbers. What do SMEs – who make up 99% of European companies – need to flourish and create employment? Public support for job creation has been ongoing in Europe, but has become refocused following the economic downturn.

For most people work is not only a source of income but also an important aspect of their personal identity and their social life. When workers grow older, the positive elements of work often retain their importance, but for many it becomes more difficult to do their jobs. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack on Living longer, working better – Active ageing in Europe. The pack explores the impact of an ageing society and workforce, providing insights into developments at EU, national and company level.

Over the past five years employment rates among workers aged 65 to 74 years increased by 15% in the EU27 (Eurostat, 2011). Most people in this age group are pensioners, demonstrating that it has become more common for pensioners to take on paid employment, albeit starting from a fairly low level. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack on 'Living longer, working better – Active ageing in Europe'. The pack explores the impact of an ageing society and workforce, providing insights into developments at EU, national and company level.

Europeans are living longer than ever before, but fewer babies are being born. The increased lifespan is great news but also poses many questions for individuals, their families and social systems. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack on 'Living longer, working better – Active ageing in Europe'. The pack explores the impact of an ageing society and workforce, providing insights into developments at EU, national and company level.

Keeping older employees in the workforce for longer has been at the heart of national and European policies since the late 1990s. These policies have had an impact. Employment rates for older workers aged 55 to 64 have increased considerably over the last ten years, from 38% to 47% (Eurostat, 2000–2010). This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack on 'Living longer, working better – Active ageing in Europe'. The pack explores the impact of an ageing society and workforce, providing insights into developments at EU, national and company level.

Europeans are living longer than ever before, on average ten years more than in 1960. This greater life expectancy coincides with another demographic development: fewer children are being born, which will mean fewer people paying into state pension and healthcare systems and a smaller pool of potential carers. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack on 'Living longer, working better – Active ageing in Europe'. The pack explores the impact of an ageing society and workforce, providing insights into developments at EU, national and company level.

European cities are increasingly faced with the challenge of integrating people from very diverse backgrounds. As migrant populations increase, so do the opportunities for new business, job creation and international competitiveness. This report shows that ethnic entrepreneurs, however small their venture, contribute to the economic growth of their local area, often rejuvenate neglected crafts and trades, and participate increasingly in the provision of higher value-added services. They can help to promote stronger trading links with their home countries and foster social cohesion in their host communities. The report examines what city authorities are doing to attract ethnic entrepreneurs into their established business communities, and to facilitate the business environment – from the purely financial to providing training and advice. An executive summary and case studies are available.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Strasbourg.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Amsterdam.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Stuttgart.

Parenting support and education encompass different types of interventions (e.g. information, training, counselling, etc.) directly linked to rearing children. The ultimate goals of parenting support and education are helping parents raise their children and having a positive impact on the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children. Several programmes have as their objective the promotion of health of children. This can include postnatal assistance, the prevention of obesity or the early detection of mental health problems such as ADHD.

On 30 June 2011, a seminar on Youth and Employment was hosted by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and jointly organised by four European agencies: Cedefop, ETF, EU-OSHA and Eurofound. The agencies highlighted the complementarity of their work by each presenting different aspects and perspectives related to youth employment in Europe and its neighbourhood countries. Topics included the transition from education to the workplace, guidance for young people at risk, safe and decent jobs for young people, the 'NEETs' phenomenon and its economic costs, the active inclusion of disadvantaged young people in employment and the global dimension of youth employment. Full speakers presentations are also available.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Wrocław.

This report describes over 50 cases of companies in 11 Member States that have adopted measures to support their employees with care responsibilities for disabled children or adults. Key initiatives by companies include: various types of leave; reduced working hours; and such supportive measures as information, counselling and practical support. The report concludes that: raising awareness is particularly important; that particularly effective approaches combine measures targeted at working carers, and measures that the entire workforce can avail of; that line managers have a pivotal role to play in supporting working carers; and that it is possible to create solutions that either avoid the need for employees to leave the job, or that enable them to return to work. An annotated bibliography and an executive summary are also available, together with a searchable database.

The report describes over 50 cases of companies in 11 Member States that have adopted measures to support their employees with care responsibilities for disabled children or adults. Key initiatives by companies include: various types of leave; reduced working hours; and such supportive measures as information, counselling and practical support. An executive summary and a searchable database are also available.

In the Netherlands growing numbers of young people and adolescents are in receipt of special education, mental health care services and benefits because of long-term illness, handicap or chronic disease. The most alarming increase is in those covered by the Disablement Assistance Act for Handicapped Young Persons (Wajong). In 2001, 120,000 people received a Wajong benefit. By 2010, this figure had risen to almost 200,000. Read more on this topic.

The report presents the results of Eurofound’s work on company initiatives for workers with care responsibilities for disabled children or adults. The research focused on initiatives that employers can take to support the needs of workers who have (informal) care responsibilities, including parents caring for children with disabilities and carers of adults who need care because of disability, illness or old age. An annotated bibliography and a searchable database are also available.

This report presents the results of a research programme that analyses the quality of life in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in EU15 countries (Member States before the 2004/7 accessions) based on the 2007 European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS). The focus of the analysis is on the comparative situation of neighbourhoods in which respondents to the EQLS state that the share of the population from racial or ethnic groups different from the majority population is relatively high (‘high-diversity neighbourhoods’). Read more in the report.

Many European countries have seen high levels of immigration from all parts of the world in the past two decades and the population of visible minority ethnic groups has grown rapidly. This report presents the results of a research programme analysing the quality of life in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in EU15 countries based on the 2007 European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS). The findings confirm that material poverty is often combined with higher degrees of social exclusion in such neighbourhoods. The perceived quality of life is also lower in these areas and in general they have higher levels of social tension. From a policy point of view, this underlines the need for an integrated and comprehensive social and housing policy intervention in affected high-diversity neighbourhoods, with strong involvement of local communities. An executive summary is available.

In this European Year of Volunteering, this report takes up the relatively neglected theme of volunteering by older people in Europe. While it is common to think of older people as beneficiaries of voluntary endeavour, their contribution as volunteers has received much less attention. This research includes 30 case studies on volunteering by older people from 11 EU Member States. Read more in the report.

Europe is undergoing a previously unwitnessed ageing of the population. In view of this, social inclusion of the elderly and strategies to promote voluntary work among older people are now important items on the EU’s political agenda. This report is based on 30 case studies from 11 Member States in which volunteers, not always exclusively older people, were successfully engaged in meaningful projects of all kinds. The cases demonstrate best practice in all aspects of the issue, ranging from strategies to recruit volunteers to ways of keeping them engaged and utilising their talents to the full. The report has a special focus on volunteering by those who may themselves be at risk of social exclusion. An executive summary is available.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Vienna.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Frankfurt.

The aim of this workshop was to contribute towards improving data on the living conditions of migrants by bringing together experts to discuss the quality of data and methods, as well as the results from research in this area. The workshop also aimed to identify areas where there is a potential need for further comparable data about the living conditions of migrants.

The extent of formal volunteering varies between European countries, depending on the available organisational setup and infrastructure to facilitate and encourage volunteering. Since the rules and incentives for registering voluntary organisations vary between Member States, however, comparing the extent of even solely formal volunteering across countries is difficult. Data from both Eurostat’s Standard Eurobarometer 2010 and Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) cast more light on the phenomenon of volunteering.

The formerly communist countries of central and eastern Europe provide a good example of how strongly volunteering is influenced by political and social traditions. These countries’ communist legacy did not favour a culture of volunteering and influenced the emergence of such a culture after the collapse of the regimes. First, the very notion of volunteering as an activity arising from grassroots level challenged the power of the communist state, which claimed to have the capacity to provide for all citizens. Secondly, ‘voluntary’ work in these countries was – in reality – compulsory unpaid work in schemes initiated by central authorities, resulting in negative connotations for the term ‘volunteering’. Nowadays, however, participation in voluntary and charitable activities in some of the new Member States (NMS) is above the EU average.

Although the Eurobarometer surveys in 2006 and 2010 show relatively little change in the level of participation in volunteering, recent Eurofound research points to a general upward trend in many Member States. The growth in volunteering of the last 10 years is partly attributed to public initiatives to promote volunteering, an increasing number of voluntary organisations (perhaps reflecting greater awareness of social and environmental problems) and growing needs for delivery of public welfare services. The upward trend may reflect an increasing involvement of older people and more positive public perceptions of volunteering, particularly in some of the new Member States.

In most Member States, no legal provision or specific support schemes exist to facilitate private sector companies’ engaging in corporate volunteering. Nonetheless, more companies are introducing such initiatives. CSR Europe, the European business network for corporate social responsibility, and its national-level partner organisations such as Business in the Community (in Ireland and the UK) are actively involved in promoting volunteering by staff in companies.

Older people have typically been seen as the beneficiaries of voluntary activities. Indeed, the role of voluntary services is likely to become increasingly important in the context of cuts in state-provided welfare services and payments as a result of the economic crisis. However, increasing attention is also being paid to the contribution and potential of older people as voluntary workers.

This study provides empirical evidence on volunteering and unpaid work activities in the European Union. The definition of volunteering is challenging, particularly in a cross-country comparison. A clear distinction between formal and informal volunteering is desirable but difficult to achieve, given that traditions and perceptions in the Member States are diverse. This study focuses on formal volunteering – that is, voluntary work performed in an organised manner, usually under the auspices of an organisation. Read more in the report.

Just over 20% of Europeans take part in voluntary and charitable activities, though there are wide differences between Member States. The highest rates are seen in the Nordic Member States (Denmark, Finland, Sweden) and the lowest rates are in Bulgaria, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Spain. People with a high level of educational attainment are more likely to be volunteers, as are those who attend religious services regularly. Based on data from the second European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), conducted by Eurofound in 2007, this report examines the factors underpinning people’s decision to volunteer, the amount of time devoted to volunteering among those who participate and whether participation is associated with greater life satisfaction. The study also looks at unpaid work (which includes caring and housework), the amount of time spent on it and the characteristics of those who do it frequently. An executive summary is available.

About 80% of time spent caring for people with a disability or for older dependent persons is provided by informal carers from among family, friends or neighbours. The increasing employment rate in Europe, specifically among women, is leading to a situation in nearly all countries where more than half of carers of working age combine their care responsibilities with employment. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of carers are also excluded from employment as a result of their care responsibilities – with impacts on pensions as well as current incomes.