Children with colorful backpacks walk toward a school building, bathed in warm sunlight.

Event

21 September 2026

Child Guarantee

As part of the Irish EU Presidency programme of events, the 'Break the Cycle Conference' on 24-25 September 2026, in partnership with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Eurofound, Eurochild, Tusla and the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a unique opportunity for civil society stakeholders to learn from best practice examples and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the delivery of prevention, early intervention and family support services.

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Publications

Explore Eurofound's recent publications.

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22 October 2026

Research report

New

Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railway sector

This study provides information allowing for an assessment of the representativeness of the actors involved in the European sectoral social dialogue committee for the railways sector.

Train engineer operating control panel in a locomotive cab, looking out front window at railway tracks.

19 October 2026

Article

New

A seat at the table, but who decides? Social partners in the governance of public employment and social security institutions

This article examines the involvement of trade unions and employer organisations in the governance of public employment services and social security institutions in the 27 EU Member States and Norway, and reports on the influence they have, if any, in these institutions.

Entrance to a building with a sign for the Swedish Public Employment Service, featuring a glass door, signs, and a sidewalk.

14 October 2026

Article

One in 11 EU employees forced to accept temporary or part-time employment

The proportion of employees involuntarily on temporary and part-time contracts has declined across the EU since 2015. The rate, however, remains high in southern Europe and is increasingly concentrated in a few service sectors. The employees on these contracts are mainly women and young workers.

A receptionist in uniform speaks on the phone behind a curved desk with medical posters and brochures, a computer, and a plant nearby.

12 October 2026

Article

Breaking the cycle: Can improving job quality solve the EU’s labour shortages?

Across the EU, labour shortages affect nearly all occupations identified, especially those facing challenging work environments and poor working time quality. By pinpointing job quality gaps linked to health and wellbeing, policymakers and employers can make these jobs more attractive and break the shortage cycle.

Chefs in a busy restaurant kitchen preparing dishes on a stovetop with steam rising and various cooking utensils visible.

5 October 2026

Policy brief

Minimum wages on the rise: Effects and policy lessons from a decade of change

This policy brief examines how national minima increases may affect employees’ pay levels, wage inequality, collective bargaining and the wider employment structure.

Bartender in a blue plaid shirt pours a beer from a tap at a dimly lit bar, surrounded by hanging glasses and wooden decor.

28 September 2026

Research report

Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Personal services – Hair and beauty sector – 2026

This study provides information allowing for an assessment of the representativeness of the actors involved in the European sectoral social dialogue committee for the personal services sector.

A hairstylist in an apron is working on a smiling client's hair in a salon with shelves of products in the background.

Confident male potter with arms crossed standing outside ceramic shop by tunedin / Adobe Stock

The European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) 2024 provides a comprehensive picture of the everyday reality of women and men in today's world of work. Building on the long-established questionnaire, new questions were asked in this edition to cover the key policy and research agenda around the future of work, including the impact of COVID-19, digitalisation and decarbonisation at work. The results from the 2024 survey identify emerging issues and trends in the Member States and beyond.

Explore the EWCS 2024

Join the EU-wide digitalisation survey for social economy organisations

Eurofound has launched a study on digitalisation in the social economy across the 27 EU Member States. The survey is addressed to social economy entities in the EU and runs until 31 October 2026. Your insight helps build the evidence base for better policy and support.

Fill out the survey

Podcast and Blog

Explore content from Eurofound's blog and podcast series.

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Podcast episode

New

Episode 48

23 October 2026

Freedom to Stay: What role can essential services play?

Mary McCaughey,

Valeria Ronzitti

Freedom to Stay: What role can essential services play?

In this episode , Mary McCaughey speaks with SGI Europe Secretary General Valeria Ronzitti about the concept of the Freedom to Stay and the role of essential services in creating opportunities across Europe. Together, they explore how access to quality services, from housing and healthcare to transport and digital connectivity, can help ensure that people can choose to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.

Recently published blog posts and podcast episodes

Blog post
1 October 2026
Who benefits from AI depends on how it is governed
Blog post
30 September 2026
Beyond 1.5°C: Putting people at the heart of policy
Podcast episode
24 September 2026
Ireland in the EU: In conversation with Noelle O’Connell
Podcast episode
10 July 2026
Employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers

Aerial view of Eurofound premises with buildings, a circular courtyard, parking area, tennis court, and surrounding autumn trees.

Eurofound is the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Eurofound is the tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies.

About Eurofound

Topics

Eurofound's work focuses on topics in the areas of working conditions and sustainable work, industrial relations and social dialogue, employment and labour markets, as well as living conditions and quality of life.

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Topic

1 October 2026

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machine-based systems designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy that infer, from the input they receive, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments

Data and monitoring tools

Eurofound provides various monitoring tools, dashboards, databases and individual data visualisations.

See surveys & data

Highlight

Dashboard

Open in data catalogue

New dashboard

European housing dashboard

Recently added data items

Map
16 October 2026
Types of social partner involvement in SSI governance bodies
Map
16 October 2026
Types of social partner involvement in PES governance bodies
Map
16 October 2026
Role of the social partners in SSI governance bodies
Map
16 October 2026
Role of the social partners in PES governance bodies

Surveys

Learn more about surveys

European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS)
Since its launch in 1990, the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) has provided an overview of working conditions in Europe.
Rounds available
2024 2021 2015
Read more
European Quality of Life Surveys (EQLS)
Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) documents living conditions and people’s social situation, and explores issues pertinent to the lives of European citizens.
Rounds available
2026 2016 2012
Read more
European Company Surveys (ECS)
The European Company Survey (ECS) has been carried out regularly since its inception in 2004–2005 as the European Establishment Survey on Working Time and Work–Life Balance (ESWT).
Rounds available
2019 2013 2009 2004
Read more
Living and Working in the EU e-survey
Since its launch in 2020, Eurofound's unique Living and Working in the EU e-survey has provided an overview of the ever-changing developments in living and working since the onset of the pandemic, through the recovery measures and during a time of constant change.
Rounds available
2026 2025 2024
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Events

Learn more about Eurofound's upcoming and past events.

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In-person event

Joint event

Beyond affordable housing: Structural solutions to Europe’s housing crisis

Tuesday, 10 November 2026Dublin, Ireland

This conference brings together around 100 representatives from EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations and academia to discuss concrete policy responses to Europe's housing crisis.

Other events

In-person event

External event

Ministerial meeting on Combatting Homelessness and meeting of the members of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH)

Date25 – 27 November 2026

LocationDublin, Ireland

Courts of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin, reflected in a calm river under a clear blue sky, surrounded by leafless trees.

See details

Child Guarantee

Related content

Publications

Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railway sector

A seat at the table, but who decides? Social partners in the governance of public employment and social security institutions

One in 11 EU employees forced to accept temporary or part-time employment

Breaking the cycle: Can improving job quality solve the EU’s labour shortages?

Minimum wages on the rise: Effects and policy lessons from a decade of change

Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Personal services – Hair and beauty sector – 2026

European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS) – 2024

Join the EU-wide digitalisation survey for social economy organisations

Podcast and Blog

Recently published blog posts and podcast episodes

Eurofound is the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Topics

Recently updated topics

Housing

Living and working in Europe

Public services

Representativeness

Housing

Living and working in Europe

Public services

Representativeness

Data and monitoring tools

Highlight

European housing dashboard

Recently added data items

Surveys

European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS)

European Quality of Life Surveys (EQLS)

European Company Surveys (ECS)

Living and Working in the EU e-survey

Events

Other events

Ministerial meeting on Combatting Homelessness and meeting of the members of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH)