Beyond the Great Recession: Employment precariousness dynamics and vulnerabilities across EU labour markets

Orfao , Guillermo

Overview

Working paper

Beyond the Great Recession: Employment precariousness dynamics and vulnerabilities across EU labour markets

Published: 30 July 2025

Guillermo Orfao

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Reference no.

WPEF25056

Activity

Working conditions and sustainable work

Research report

10 July 2026

Employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers: Addressing an ongoing policy challenge

Dragoș Adăscălițeiand 3 other authors

Over the past two decades, labour markets across the EU have seen a marked rise in non-standard employment. While such arrangements can offer flexibility and better work–life balance, vulnerability arises when they are involuntary or when multiple non-standard characteristics intersect. This report analyses the prevalence of employment vulnerability across the EU-27 from 2009 to 2021, examining its links to working conditions, health outcomes and policy responses. The findings show that women, young people and migrants face the highest risk, with those experiencing multiple dimensions of vulnerability reporting poorer job prospects, limited training opportunities, less autonomy and higher rates of anxiety and depression. The report also reviews EU and national policy measures aimed at strengthening contractual certainty and supporting transitions to more secure employment.