Youth integration in the EU: Navigating digitalisation and labour shortages – Background paper

Since the early 2000s, the EU has faced persistent challenges in integrating young people into the labour market. The Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted youth employment prospects. This background paper explores youth labour market integration within the framework of the digitalisation and labour shortages. It discusses the implications of the digital revolution, which could potentially provide tools for empowerment for young people or be a source of exclusion for those lacking digital skills. It also addresses the impact of labour shortages on youth employment opportunities.