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. A fifth round of the e-survey is planned for March–May 2022, with initial findings available in July.

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.

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 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?

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.

A new European Disability Strategy was launched in 2021 with the aim of intensifying progress on ensuring the full participation of people with  disabilities in society. The increase of EU policy focus on people with disabilities is timely: the COVID-19 pandemic magnified the challenges they faced in many spheres of their lives.

La presente relazione illustra le conseguenze della crisi di COVID-19 sulla qualità della vita dei cittadini più anziani, compresi gli effetti sul loro benessere, sulle loro finanze, sulla loro occupazione e sulla loro inclusione sociale. Analizza le conseguenze sul ricorso ai servizi di assistenza e sulla dipendenza degli anziani da altri tipi di sostegno. La relazione presenta le misure politiche attuate negli Stati membri dell’UE per fornire sostegno agli anziani in tutte le dimensioni summenzionate.

Dopo una lunga ripresa dalla crisi economica (2007-2013), i giovani dell’UE si sono dimostrati più vulnerabili agli effetti delle restrizioni messe in atto per rallentare la diffusione della pandemia di COVID-19. Rispetto a fasce di popolazione più anziana, i giovani hanno avuto maggiore probabilità di perdere il lavoro o di attraversare precarietà finanziaria e problemi di salute mentale. Hanno riferito una riduzione della soddisfazione di vita e del benessere mentale associati agli obblighi di permanenza in casa e alla chiusura delle scuole.

La pandemia di COVID-19 ha comportato la chiusura o la limitazione di numerose attività economiche nel 2020 con ampie ripercussioni sul mercato del lavoro. All’inizio della pandemia le perdite di posti di lavoro sono state più gravi di quelle registrate durante la crisi finanziaria mondiale. Un calo ancora maggiore delle ore lavorate si è verificato in seguito al diffuso ricorso al periodo di cassa integrazione guadagni per i lavoratori sostenuto dallo Stato.