Impact of the pandemic on the young
Bleak prospects for the "iGeneration".
IF – 01/2021
Children and young people born after 1996
are the first digital natives and they are also referred to as the
"iGeneration". Smartphones, tablets and laptops are constant
companions of this generation. Within the EU, this important population group
is very well educated, but it cannot really gain a foothold in the existing
labour market.
Even before the crisis, these young people
were at high risk of poverty. School closures and job losses have now made the
situation far worse. The impact of the pandemic on children and young people
has recently been examined in detail by the European Parliamentary Research
Service in a study titled "Next generation, lost generation?" that
was published in December 2020. You can find the entire study here:
Youth policy based on European policy
The well-being, educational success and
integration of this generation in the labour market will have a significant impact
on Europe's long-term economic performance in the coming years. The EC’s
President, Ursula von der Leyen has also recognised this. Half of the
Commissioners have been entrusted with tasks that directly address the
challenges faced by the "iGeneration". For example, access to
education, health, housing and labour markets, the fight against poverty and
the protection of children's rights are to be taken into account in many policy
areas when it comes to new European initiatives.
Young people of today will shape the labour market of tomorrow
Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs
and Social Rights, is making a significant political contribution to the future
of the "iGeneration". This is because he must ensure that social
security systems are adapted to the new reality of the world of work in times
of pandemic for this generation as well. Commissioner Schmit has already
unveiled an updated skills agenda in 2020 and a programme to support youth employment, including increased
assistance for young entrepreneurs who often launch start-ups.
The European Pillar of Social Rights as a support for the "iGeneration"?
Commissioner Schmit will also have to take
the "iGeneration" into account in the action plan for implementing
the European Pillar of Social Rights. The action plan is expected in the first
quarter of 2021. In addition to education, fair working conditions and adequate
social security systems, this action plan will encompass other principles
relevant to improving the lives of the youngest generation, including access to
services and affordable housing. Social security systems currently tend to
protect older workers and older people.
The reality of numbers
As a result of the crisis, one in six young
people who were employed before the outbreak lost their jobs, especially
younger workers aged between 18 and 24. Young people in lower income countries
were particularly affected by reductions in working times and incomes. More
than 2 million people under 25 were unemployed in the euro zone in 2020. In
this respect, the pandemic has dealt another heavy blow to "iGeneration”
integration.
Reducing personnel is now the trend
Another detail of why young people find it
difficult to integrate into the labour market is the problem of an
ever-shrinking workforce. The EC’s first 2020 demographic report highlights the fact that a shrinking
workforce will also intensify the urban/rural labour market divide.
The fact is that the
"iGeneration" will be exposed to increased mental and physical strain
as they support the rest of the European population on their entry into the
workforce. For this reason, special attention needs to be paid to the
"iGeneration" at European level especially with regard to future
contributors to the maintenance of the social security systems.