A quarter of young people employed while in education

In 2023, 25.7% of young Europeans (aged 15-29) were employed during formal education. While 71.4% remained outside the labour force, 2.9% were available for employment and actively seeking employment (unemployed) while in formal education.

This information comes from the Statistics Explained article on participation of young people in education and the labour market published by Eurostat. 

Despite a quarter of young Europeans being employed while studying, this statistic shows substantial differences at national level. The Netherlands (74.5%), Denmark (52.6%) and Austria (46.2%) observed the highest shares of young people employed during formal education. By contrast, Romania (2.3%), Slovakia (5.8%) and Hungary (6.1%) reported the lowest shares, amongst EU countries.

Source dataset:  Eurostat extraction

The highest shares of young people in formal education who are available for employment and actively seeking employment in the EU were recorded in Sweden (13.8%), Finland (8.3%) and Denmark (6.9%). At the other end of the scale, Hungary (0.4%), Czechia (0.8%) and Poland (0.9%) had less than 1% of young people seeking employment in the EU.

Source dataset:  Eurostat extraction

Significant differences between women and men

Men exhibited a lower participation in formal education, across all age groups and all employment statuses. At the same time, in all age groups, men showed higher participation in the labour force.

However, a higher percentage of women than men in formal education were likely to be outside the labour force, with the biggest discrepancy occurring in the 20-24 age group. More women than men also remained outside both education and the labour force. The most pronounced differences were recorded among young people aged 25-29.

For more information

• Statistics Explained article on the participation of young people in education and the labour market
• Thematic section on labour force statistics
• Database on labour force statistics 

Methodological notes

• Data on unemployed persons is of low reliability in Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Slovenia.
• Data on unemployed persons is not reported in Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta, Romania and Slovakia, due to the estimated values below publication thresholds.

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