COVID-19

This report explores the drivers of economic and social convergence in Europe, using a selected set of economic and social indicators to examine trends in the performance of individual Member States. It also investigates what role the Economic and Monetary Union plays in convergence, particularly in southern and eastern Member States. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on convergence is analysed and initial conclusions are drawn about the impact of EU recovery packages and their ability to prevent divergence.

This report offers a backward look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work and life of Europeans. The main focus is on Eurofound’s e-survey ‘ Living, working and COVID-19’ which was launched on 9 April 2020 just after the onset of the crisis. Through four rounds of the survey (two in 2020 and two in 2021), the range of questions changed to match the evolving situation and to understand the effects on the everyday lives of citizens and workers.

Lockdown measures and the economic shift following the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widening of the gender divide between men and women, putting at risk some of the gender equality gains that had been made in previous years. This report analyses changes in the distribution of paid and unpaid work, along with care and domestic responsibilities, among men and women during the crisis. It also explores the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of women and men.

The COVID-19 crisis has increased inequality between social groups in health, housing, employment, income and well-being. While a small part of society was able to hold on to or increase its wealth, other groups such as women, young people, older people, people with disabilities, low- and middle-income earners and those with young children were acutely affected by the pandemic. Drawing on current research on how to best measure multidimensional inequality, this report highlights recent trends in inequality in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

Given that compliance with lockdown measures is a first line of defence against COVID-19, maintaining trust in institutions is vital to ensure a coordinated, comprehensive and effective response to the pandemic. This report investigates developments in institutional and interpersonal trust across time, with a particular emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic period and its impact. It examines the link between trust and discontent and investigates the effect of multidimensional inequalities as a driver of distrust.

The hospital sector has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals and their workers are on the frontline in the fight against the virus, and they face a number of significant challenges in terms of resources, work organisation and working conditions. This study will explore the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in how the sector is adapting to the pandemic. What kinds of changes have been introduced, either through social dialogue or collective bargaining? Are the changes temporary or permanent?

This report captures the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the quality of life of older citizens, including the impact on their well-being, finances, employment and social inclusion. It explores the effects on the use of care services and older people’s reliance on other support. The report presents policy measures that have been implemented in EU Member States to support older people along all of the above-mentioned dimensions.

Nach einer langwierigen Erholung von der Wirtschaftskrise (2007–2013) haben sich die jungen Menschen in der EU anfälliger für die Auswirkungen der zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie eingeführten Beschränkungen gezeigt. Im Vergleich zu Gruppen von Menschen höheren Alters waren junge Menschen häufiger von Arbeitsplatzverlusten, finanzieller Unsicherheit und psychischen Problemen betroffen. Sie berichteten von einer verminderten Zufriedenheit mit dem eigenen Leben und einem verringerten psychischen Wohlbefinden aufgrund des verpflichtenden Zuhausebleibens und der Schulschließungen.

Die COVID-19-Pandemie führte 2020 zur Einstellung bzw. Einschränkung vieler Wirtschaftstätigkeiten, mit weitreichenden Folgen für den Arbeitsmarkt. Die Arbeitsplatzverluste zu Beginn der Pandemie waren schlimmer als diejenigen während der weltweiten Finanzkrise. Bei den geleisteten Arbeitsstunden waren aufgrund der staatlich geförderten Freistellungen im großen Maßstab sogar noch höhere Einbußen zu verzeichnen.

Aufgrund der Auswirkungen von COVID-19 ist das Thema öffentliche Gesundheit auf der sozialpolitischen Agenda der EU nach oben gerückt. Da die EU ihre Anstrengungen auf den Aufbau einer Europäischen Gesundheitsunion ausrichtet, um sich für künftige Gesundheitskrisen zu wappnen, wird in diesem Kurzbericht untersucht, inwieweit die EU vor der Pandemie eine Aufwärtskonvergenz im Hinblick auf den Gesundheitszustand und die Ergebnisse der Gesundheitsversorgung sowie Gesundheitsausgaben und die Erbringung von Gesundheitsdienstleistungen erzielt hat.