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Job creation

Job creation refers to the process of providing new jobs, especially for people who were previously unemployed or inactive. Job creation is a key priority for EU social and employment policy. 

Topic

Recent updates

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European Restructuring Monitor

Since 2002, the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) has been monitoring the employment impact of large-scale restructuring events in Europe and covers the 27 EU Member States plus Norway.

Web page

Eurofound research

Research carries out research on employment and changing labour markets, restructuring and job creation in the EU Member States. The investigation of factors supporting or inhibiting job creation also requires access to company-level information. Eurofound has conducted four editions of its European Company Survey (ECS) since 2003, providing comparative evidence on company practices and their link to innovation and job creation.

Jobs monitor

Eurofound’s European Jobs Monitor (EJM) looks in detail at recent shifts in employment at Member State and aggregate EU levels, covering cases of job creation and job loss by occupation and sector.

Publication: European Jobs Monitor 2021: Gender gaps and the employment structure

 

Restructuring monitor

The European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) has recently explored the case of SMEs, meaning companies with fewer than 250 employees, as a source of job creation. It found that SMEs are likely to have contributed to improved employment levels and increasingly gain attention as a source of job creation in Europe. However, due to the large scale of the SME population, there is considerable heterogeneity among them, and not all are equally dynamic job creators.

Born globals

‘Born global’ enterprises – young companies with an international mindset – are also dynamic in job creation, despite their low share among enterprises. Eurofound research has looked at the potential of job creation in these new international businesses. It characterises born globals and outline their main strengths and weaknesses, as well as economic and labour market potential. 

Sector focus

A study on the creation of more and better jobs in home-care services highlights the persistent labour shortages in the health and social care sector. It analyses initiatives that were successful in either creating more jobs in the sector, or improving the quality of its jobs, with the dual aim of attracting new recruits and retaining existing staff.

As part of a pilot project on the future of manufacturing in Europe from 2015 to 2018, Eurofound gathered information on the reshoring of manufacturing and other value-chain activities to the EU and the resulting job gains.

Key outputs

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Reshoring in Europe: Overview 2015–2018

Reshoring – namely the relocation of value chain activities back to the home country or its nearby region – has attracted an increasing interest both among scholars and policymakers. The...

1 April 2019
Publication
Research report
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More and better jobs in home-care services

As Europe’s population ages, the number of adults needing long-term care is increasing. There are, however, persistent labour shortages in the health and social care sector; well-qualified staff are particularly...

10 September 2013
Publication
Research report

EU context

The European Commission’s Investment Plan for Europe adopted in November 2014 focuses on creating jobs and boosting growth by making smarter use of financial resources, removing obstacles to investment and providing visibility and technical assistance to investment projects. Building on this, the InvestEU Programme 2021–2027 will further boost investment, innovation and job creation by making EU funding simpler to access and more effective. 

Research shows that the strongest recent structural employment growth was recorded in the health and care sectors and in information and communication technologies. Both sectors have strong potential for continued job creation, along with green jobs, as highlighted in the Commission’s 2012 ‘Employment package’. 

The Commission has recognised the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to economic development and labour markets in the EU, and it supports SMEs through a variety of policies and instruments. In 2016, the European Parliament issued a resolution on how best to support the job creation potential of SMEs.

Eurofound’s work on job creation links in with the Commission’s 2019–2024 priority on an economy that works for people. 

 

European Industrial Relations Dictionary 

Eurofound expert(s)

John Hurley

John Hurley

John Hurley is a senior research manager in the Employment unit at Eurofound. He took up the role of research manager in February 2012. He is responsible for the European...

Senior research manager,
Employment research unit
Publications results (108)

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 2, summer 2009

According to the most recent DG-ECFIN quarterly report, the euro area remains ‘deep in recession mode’: unemployment is rising in all Member States. The second issue for 2009 includes: current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of ERM statistics for April-June 2009; state aid for

28 July 2009
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

Investing in the future of jobs and skills: Computer, electronic and optical products - Sector report

The computer, electronic and optical products sector accounted for 134,264 enterprises in the EU-27 in 2005, employing over two million persons. This report is published as part of a series of forward-looking sector studies on new skills and new jobs. While the main focus of the study is on the

23 July 2009
Publication
Research report
Skills and training
Working conditions and sustainable work
Employment and labour markets
Innovation
Job creation

ERM case studies: Good practice in company restructuring

This report presents examples of good practice and effective action in relation to restructuring by companies. The study is based on in-depth company case studies carried out in 25 EU Member States and Norway. It identifies instances where large enterprises have not only respected the minimum

24 May 2009
Publication
Case study
Skills and training
Restructuring
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Job creation

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 1, spring 2009

In the first quarter of 2009, most evidence points to a deepening, global recession affecting simultaneously Europe, other major developed and developing economies. The first issue for 2009 includes: current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of ERM statistics for January-March 2009

28 April 2009
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 4, winter 2008

After a dramatic final quarter of 2008, the European economy is facing a sharp slowdown in economic activity. The euro zone is officially in recession with the EU27 likely to follow. The fourth issue for 2008 includes: Current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of ERM statistics for

10 February 2009
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 3, autumn 2008

The commitment of hundreds of billions of euros and dollars by the public authorities to the banking systems in the major developed economies in September and early October 2008 has only partially stemmed the malaise in the global financial system. The third issue for 2008 includes: Current

21 October 2008
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 2, summer 2008

A deteriorating international context has impacted negatively on the European economy in the second quarter of 2008. The second issue for 2008 includes: Current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of ERM statistics for the second quarter 2008; restructuring in the postal services sector

28 September 2008
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 1, spring 2008

This first issue for 2008 includes: an overview of current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of the ERM statistics for the first quarter of 2008; a focus on restructuring in the financial services sector; the closure of Nokia in Bochum; and restructuring in Cyprus and Malta.

28 September 2008
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 4, winter 2007

This fourth issue for 2007 includes: a summary of current macroeconomic trends and prospects; an overview of the ERM statistics for the fourth quarter of 2007; details of the global restructuring plan at Unilever; restructuring at ZRE Katowice and more on restructuring in Cyprus.

28 September 2008
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets

European restructuring monitor quarterly - Issue 2, summer 2007

This second issue for 2007 includes: an overview of current macroeconomic trends and prospects; a focus on restructuring in the commerce sector; and restructuring in Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Malta.

28 September 2008
Publication
ERM Quarterly
Job creation
Employment structure
Restructuring
Employment and labour markets
Online resources results (44)

Reorganisation and reduction of statutory working time: early assessment of the Robien law

The publication of an assessment commissioned by the National Assembly's Finance Commission, and the campaign for the May/June 1997 general election, have reopened the debate in France on the content and efficiency of the Robien law, which seeks to encourage working time reductions and

27 May 1997
Article
Working time
Job creation
Employment relationship
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Working conditions and sustainable work

Reduction of working time is key issue

In the framework of negotiations for the two-year National General Collective Agreement covering the years 1996 and 1997, the GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) trade union confederation placed on the agenda of discussions with the employers its demand for the reduction of weekly working

27 April 1997
Article
Working time
Job creation
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets

Sabbatical leave scheme gains in popularity

The sabbatical leave pilot scheme, which was agreed as part of Finland's last incomes policy agreement, has begun as planned. So far, 5,500 employees have taken advantage of the scheme. The Ministry of Labour's target of 5,000-10,000 employees per year appears likely to be achieved.

27 April 1997
Article
Job creation
Pay and income
Psychosocial risks
Job quality
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Working conditions and sustainable work

Agreement on working time at EDF and GDF

On 21 January 1997, the two French electricity and gas public utility companies signed an agreement with three trade unions ( the CFDT, the CFTC and the CFE-CGC). This agreement is designed to improve their competitiveness and productivity while at the same time maintaining their workforce at

27 February 1997
Article
Working time
Job creation
Public services
Employment and labour markets
Living conditions and quality of life
Blogs results (6)
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Europe’s low-carbon transition makes economic sense

At the very outset of its mandate, the new European Commission presented the European Green Deal, establishing the objective of becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. The initiative emphasises the seriousness which the European Commission places on the climate and biodiversity

21 February 2020
James Higgins
Blog
Employment and labour markets
European Green Deal
Industrial policy
Job creation
Just transition
Labour market policies
Structural change
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Where are all the good jobs?

Economic disparities have been decreasing between EU member states over the past decade, but at the same time inequality has been growing within member states. Despite national level convergence, the gap in wealth and income between the rich and the poor is growing in most of Europe. Some of this

29 October 2019
John Hurley
Blog
Employment structure
Labour market policies
Job creation
Job quality
Employment and labour markets
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The future of manufacturing – is it in Europe?

Over the past four years a special project delegated to Eurofound has looked in detail at ongoing changes in manufacturing on a global scale, analysed how the industry will change further in the future, and assessed what the impacts will be for Europe. Looking at everything from changes in tasks for

9 April 2019
Donald Storrie
Blog
Employment structure
Industrial policy
Job creation
Employment and labour markets
Restructuring
The many faces of self-employment In Europe

The many faces of self-employment in Europe

While the Europe 2020 strategy actively promotes entrepreneurial self-employment as a means to create good jobs, policy makers at national and EU level are actively looking at better social protection for self-employed workers. Understanding this paradox requires looking beyond the ‘self-employed’

26 October 2017
Mathijn Wilkens
Blog
Inequality
Job creation
Non-standard employment
Working conditions and sustainable work
New-generation cars boost manufacturing employment

New-generation cars boost manufacturing employment

Rising levels of employment in manufacturing in the EU since 2013 have seen the part reversal of a long-term decline in employment in this sector. Data from the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) database to early September 2017 show that, for the first time since 2005, the number of new

25 October 2017
John Hurley
Blog
Job creation
Employment and labour markets
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
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Employment shifts in Europe during the recovery: three little noticed trends

The EU has finally recovered all the net employment losses sustained since the global financial crisis. It has been a long and painful process. But there is at last growing evidence of positive momentum in EU labour markets, if not quite ‘animal spirits’. Many of those member states most affected by

26 July 2017
John Hurley
Blog
Employment structure
Gender equality
Job creation
Employment and labour markets
Non-standard employment
Upcoming publications results (1)

Company practices to tackle labour shortages

This report provides updated data on the scale of labour shortages and labour market slack in the EU and at Member State level and focusses on organisational policies aimed at attracting workers in shortage occupations. It provides lessons on steps employers can take to fill vacancies, whether actin

September 2024
Forthcoming
Publication
Research report
Employment and labour markets
Job creation
Labour market policies
Data results (2)

European Company Survey

24 October 2023
Reference period:
2019

European Jobs Monitor

20 September 2023

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