Employment rate by age group and sex, EU27, 2007–2022 (%)

Living and working in Europe 2024 provides a snapshot of Eurofound’s key research findings on the changing nature of work and life across the EU. Labour and skills shortages continued to dominate policy debates, as structural issues linked to demographic shifts, poor job quality and the demands of the green and digital transitions intensified recruitment challenges. The report examines how the cost-of-living crisis has persisted – despite easing inflation – and continues to affect households across income levels. It also explores the ongoing housing crisis, which is delaying key life transitions for young people and contributing to growing social inequality. Meanwhile, access to social protection remains uneven, particularly for unemployed and self-employed workers. Eurofound’s latest survey data also reveal a decline in remote work opportunities, despite worker preferences for hybrid arrangements. The report also highlights declining trust in institutions, closely linked to financial insecurity. Taken together, the findings capture the challenges and opportunities of this period of profound transition, reinforcing the importance of inclusive, evidence-based policymaking to support a fair and sustainable Europe.

You can also explore the digital version of Living and working in Europe 2024.

During the pandemic, many young people had to change their plans for the future. While at the end of 2023 young people’s labour market situation was more favourable than it had been in recent years, many obstacles remained on their route to independence, such as the rising cost of living and inability to move out of the parental home. This report explores young people’s wishes and plans for the future – and the well-being outcomes related to these plans – in the context of the current labour market and housing situation and progress on the implementation of the EU’s reinforced Youth Guarantee.