Looking behind the figures : the main results of the Eurobarometer 2007 survey on youth.
Date: 2007-08-01
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Subjects: European Union, European citizenship, labour market, leisure, political participation, sample survey, young person

LOOKING BEHIND THE FIGURES
The main results of the 
Eurobarometer 2007 survey
on youth

Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers 

to your questions about the European Union

Freephone number (*):
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11

(*)  Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00 800 numbers 

or these calls may be billed.

A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet.

It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu).

Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication.

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2007

ISBN 978-92-79-05539-3        

© European Communities, 2007

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Printed in Belgium

European Commission

Looking behind the figures: The main results of the Eurobarometer 2007 survey on youth

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2007 — 16 pp. — 21.0 x 29.7 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-05539-3      

SALES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Publications for sale produced by the Office for Official Publications of the 
European Communities are available from our sales agents throughout the world.

You can find the list of sales agents on the Publications Office website
(http://publications.europa.eu) or you can apply for it by fax (352) 29 29-42758.

Contact the sales agent of your choice and place your order.

s i n c e   1 9 5 7

C
-

N
E
-
0
9
2
-
7
0
-
7
7
-
C
N

FOREWORD

The Eurobarometer opinion poll on young people 2007 is a special one 
– it is the first one which reflects the answers of young people in all 
27 Member States of the European Union. 

I  find  it  particularly  interesting  to  note  that  in  2007  the  European 
Union has become an equivalent for freedom of movement for 90% of 
the  young  people.  This  is  a  clear  progress  compared  to  the  findings 
of the last Eurobarometer youth survey of 2001. I was also pleasantly 
surprised  to  read  that  an  important  majority  of  young  people  state 
their interest in politics and current affairs. 

During  the  six  years  since  that  last  youth  Eurobarometer  much  has 
changed  in  youth  policy  cooperation  at  the  European  level.  Further 
to  the  White  Paper  "A  New  Impetus  for  European  Youth"  of  2001  the 
Member  States  agreed  on  common  objectives  for  four  key  areas  of 
youth  policies:  participation,  information  and  voluntary  activities 
of  young  people  as  well  as  a  better  knowledge  and  a  greater  under-
standing of youth.

The Heads of State and Government inserted the European Youth Pact 
into  the  revised  Lisbon  agenda  and  thus  introduced  issues  as  youth 
employment,  education  and  training,  and  reconciliation  of  working 
and private life among the primary goals of the European Union.

 |  1

Ján Figel’

Member of the European Commission 
responsible for Education, Training, 
Culture and Youth

In the light of these political developments for Europe’s youth, it is of prior importance to know what young 
people themselves think about the European Union, about their lives and their place in societies.  

The  European  Commission  wants  to  know  and  understand  the  young  generation  better.  That  is  why  we 
strive to communicate with young people and consult them in a permanent and structured dialogue. The 
aim is to ensure that those for whom policies are made are on board in the decision-making processes.  

I personally found reading this Eurobarometer survey quite interesting and refreshing and I invite you all to 
discover our young people’s views of their world in 2007.

Enjoy reading! 

TENDENCIES

•  In  all  Member  States,  a 

large 

•  A  majority  of  young  Europeans 

number  of  young  people  believe 

mention ﬁ nancial reasons to explain 

that  participating  in  debates  with 

why  young  persons  live  at  their 

policymakers  is  the  best  way  to 

parents’ home longer than they used 

ensure  that  their  voices  are  heard. 

to: they either cannot aﬀ ord to move 

More  than  one  third,  nevertheless, 

out  or  there  is  a  lack  of  aﬀ ordable 

considers that this can be achieved 

housing. 

by  joining  a  political  party,  a  trade 

union or an NGO. 

•  Slightly less than one in ﬁ ve young 

Europeans  take  part  in  voluntary 

•  For  38%  of  the  young  Europeans 

activities; three out of four consider 

the  most  important  diﬃ  culties  in 

such  activities  as  an 

incentive 

2  |

•  Overall,  young  Europeans 

tend 

ﬁ nding  a  job  are  the  lack  of  job 

for  their  greater  participation  in 

to  share  a  positive  image  of  the 

opportunities 

in 

their  country. 

society.

European Union (EU) and its future. 

Slightly less than one in four thinks 

Most of them associate the EU with 

that  the  main  problem  is  a  lack  of 

the  freedom  to  travel,  study  and 

practical experience.

•  The 

two  most  popular 

leisure 

activities  among  young  Europeans 

are exercise (going for a walk, bike 

work  anywhere  within  the  Union; 

they  consider  these  advantages  as 

the  core  elements  of  being  an  EU 

citizen.  Young  people  in  the  new 

Member  States  are  more 

likely 

to  view  the  EU  positively,  e.g.  as 

a  means  of 

improving  Europe’s 

economic situation, than their EU15 

counterparts.  Similarly,  highly-

educated  young  people  are  more 

optimistic about the EU’s future.

•  A  majority  of  young  Europeans  say 

that  they  are  interested  or  very 

interested  in  politics  and  current 

aﬀ airs  at  local,  regional,  national 

and EU level.

•  62%  of  young  people  eligible  to 

vote  say  they  have  voted  in  an 

election or a referendum in the last 

three years. (Note: in some Member 

States, voting is compulsory).

•  Young  Europeans  wish  to  be  con-

sulted  before  any  public  decision 

that concerns them is taken.

•  Communication 

and 

teamwork 

riding,  sports  etc.)  and  meeting 

skills,  an  apprenticeship  or  a  trai-

friends  (eating,  dancing,  having  a 

ning  course, IT and computer abili-

drink,  hanging  out,  etc.).  A  certain 

ties,  and  knowledge  of  a  foreign 

number  of  known  tendencies  are 

language  are  the  four  main  skills 

conﬁ rmed  (e.g.  women  read  more 

mentioned  by  young  Europeans  as 

than men; men prefer to spend more 

the most useful qualities needed to 

time on sport or the Internet).

ﬁ nd a good job.

•  Only  one  in  ﬁ ve  young  Europeans 

•  Language  barriers  are  the  main 

is  a  member  of  an  organisation, 

reason  that  young  Europeans  think 

with  sports  associations  being  by 

that it might be diﬃ  cult for them to 

far  the  most  popular.  Figures  vary 

ﬁ nd a job in another country.

considerably  between  Member 

•  If  faced  with  unemployment,  one 

young  European  in  three  would 

accept  a  job  not  corresponding  to 

his/her  qualiﬁ cation,  only  if  it  met 

certain  conditions,  such  as 

job 

stability  and  a  good  salary;  one  in 

ten  would  accept  any  job  without 

such conditions. 

States,  with  signiﬁ cantly  higher 

membership 

in  organisations 

in 

northern  than  in  southern  Europe. 

Young  people  in  the  new  Member 

States are much more unlikely to get 

organised than those in the EU15.

INTRODUCTION

This  Flash  Eurobarometer  survey 

however,  diﬀ erent  from  the  earlier 

The  survey  was  carried  out  between 

was  carried  out  at  the  request  of  the 

surveys  in  various  ways.  The  current 

30 January 2007 and 4 February 2007. 

Youth:  Policies  Unit  of  the  European 

survey  “Youth  survey  among  people 

Over 19 000 randomly selected young 

Commission’s  Directorate  General  for 

aged  between  15-30  years  of  age, 

people aged between 15 and 30 years 

Education and Culture, and follows up 

in the 27 Member States” covers more 

were  interviewed  in  the  27  Member 

a  series  of  earlier  surveys  on  young 

countries  than  the  earlier  surveys. 

States of the EU. 

Europeans  aged  15  to  24  in  1982, 

The  survey  also  involved  telephone 

1987,  1990,  1997  and  2001  as  part  of 

interviewing  instead  of  face-to-face 

the  Eurobarometer  Special  Surveys. 

interviewing and the target age group 

The  current  Flash  Eurobarometer  is, 

was  extended  to  young  Europeans 

aged 15 to 30 years.

The survey deals with the following aspects of young Europeans’ life:

 |  3

BEING A CITIZEN OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ..................................................................................................................  4

MEANING AND FUTURE OF EUROPE  .............................................................................................................................. 5

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANISATIONS ..........................................................................................6

PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY .......................................................................................................................................... 7

EMPLOYMENT AND AUTONOMY .................................................................................................................................. 10

Source of the survey: FLASH EB 202 – January 2007 – THE GALLUP ORGANISATION

  
BEING A CITIZEN OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The possibility to study and the right to work in any country in 
the EU, access to healthcare anywhere in the EU and the freedom 
of movement – this is what EU citizenship means for young people.

4  |

EU citizenship 

EU citizenship – What does this mean? 
For  a  very  large  majority  of  young 
Europeans the ability to study and the 
right to work in any country in the EU, 
respectively, are the main elements of 
being a European citizen. 82% of young 
people  also  agree  that  EU  citizen-
ship  means  access  to  healthcare  and 
social  welfare  anywhere  in  the  EU 
and  77%  mention  the  right  to  move 
permanently to any Member State.

For  half  of  young  Europeans,  being  a 
European  citizen  means  the  right  of 
non-nationals to vote, or to be elected 
in local elections, in the Member State 
in which they reside. 

Individual Member State results show, 
however,  large  variations  in  young 
persons’  views  and  understanding 
of  the  meaning  of  being  a  European 
citizen. In Luxembourg, 69% think that 

European  citizenship  primarily  means 
the  right  of  non-nationals  to  vote  or 
to  be  elected  in  local  elections  in  the 
Member State in which they reside. In 
Hungary, however, only 24% of young 
people  agree  with  that.  Similarly, 
while  93%  of  young  Slovaks  mention 
that  being  a  citizen  of  the  EU  denotes 
access to healthcare and social welfare 
anywhere in the EU, only 54% of young 
Estonians agree. 

MEANING OF “BEING A CITIZEN OF THE EUROPEAN UNION”

Q7.  Which of the following, do you think “being a citizen of the 

European Union” means? 

  Base: all respondents (% of "Mentioned")

Being able to study in any European Union country  94%
The right to work in any country in the European Union  88%
  Access to healthcare and social welfare anywhere in the European Union  82%
The right to move permanently to any country in the European Union  77%
The right of non nationals to vote or to be elected in local elections  in  49%

the Member State where they reside

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MEANING AND FUTURE OF EUROPE

Young people support the EU, but are critical nonetheless. 

to 

results  of 

the 
the 
Compared 
2001  Eurobarometer  survey  for  the 
15  Member  States  (hereafter  referred 
to  as  2001-EU15),  the  idea  of  Europe 
as  a  symbol  of  freedom  of  movement 
has  become  commonplace  for  almost 
all young Europeans: 90% report that, 
for  them  personally,  it  represents  the 

freedom  to  travel,  study  and  work 
anywhere in the Union. A way to protect 
the rights of citizens comes in second 
place,  and  a  means  of  improving  the 
economic  situation  comes  third.  More 
than half of the young people feel that 
the  EU  is  equivalent  to  a  European 
government. 

A symbol of freedom of movement

When  asked  about  possible  negative 
features  of  the  Union,  40%  of  young 
Europeans  state  that  it  means  an 
excess of bureaucracy and some waste 
of time and money. Just over one third 
considers the EU as a threat to cultural 
identity and diversity.

THE MEANING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 

Q1.  I am going to read you a few statements on what the European

Union means for people. Please tell me, for each of them, if the 
European Union means this to you personnally or not? 

A means of improving the economic situation in the EU 

Freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in the EU  90%
A way to protect the rights of citizens  72%
71%
A European government  56%
A lot of bureaucracy, a waste of time and money  40%
The risk of losing our cultural identity/diversity  35%

Base: all respondents (% if "Yes, it does")

 |  5

Highly-educated young people are more optimistic about the EU’s future.

In 10 years’ time Europe will continue to represent
freedom of movement for almost all young Europeans. 

The Union’s future

Almost  all  young  people  (92%)  agree 
that in 10 years’ time it will be easier to 
travel, study, work and live anywhere in 
Europe because of the EU’s existence, 
while  in  2001-EU15  half  of  the  young 
people  considered  that  the  Union’s 
main accomplishment in 10 years’ time 
would  be  the  single  currency.  A  large 
majority  of  young  Europeans  state 
that  in  the  next  decade,  the  EU  will 
bring  more  opportunities  for  people 

like  themselves  to  ﬁ nd  work,  more 
equality  between  men  and  women, 
less  discrimination  against  foreigners 
and  people  from  other  cultures  and 
ethnic  groups,  and  a  better  quality  of 
life for most people.

On  the  negative  side,  39%  of  young 
people believe that the EU in 10 years’ 
time  will  mean  more  social  problems, 
such as unemployment and strikes. 

Young  people 
in  the  twelve  new 
Member  States  appear  more  likely  to 
positively  evaluate  the  EU’s  future, 
while  in  the  EU15  see  its  future  in  a 
more negative way. 

Young  Europeans  who  are  still  at
school,  more  highly-educated  and 
living  in  metropolitan  or  urban  areas 
are  more  likely  to  agree  with  the 
positive view of the EU.

WHAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BRING IN 10 YEARS’ TIME 

Q2. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements

about  what the European Union will bring in ten years’ time? 

Base: all respondents (% if "Agree")

It will be easier to travel, study, work and live anywhere in Europe  92%
More opportunities for people like me to ﬁ nd work  73%
71%
  Less discrimination against foreigners and people from other cultures or   68%

More equality between men and women 

ethnic groups  

A better quality of life for most people  67%

More social problems (unemployment, strikes)  39%
There won’t be a European Union anymore 
13%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND
MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANISATIONS

The favourite activity of young Europeans
is exercising and meeting friends.

Exercise ﬁ rst 

What do young people in Europe do in 
their free time? Going for a walk, bike 
ride,  doing  sports  etc.  is  their  most 
regular activity. Meeting friends, going 
dancing,  going  out  to  eat  or  drink, 
which  was  the  top  priority  in  2001-
EU15, come next. One young European 
in  four  prefers  reading  a  book.  The 
use  of  Internet  is  less  widespread  in 
Europe of 27 Member States compared 

ACTIVITIES DURING LEISURE TIME

to  2001-EU15,  as  slightly  more  than 
one  in  ﬁ ve  young  persons  reports 
using  the  Internet  or  playing  video 
games  (one  out  of  four  in  2001-EU15). 
Less  than  one  in  ten  young  people 
names  the  following  activities:  going 
instrument, 
shopping,  playing  an 
working  for  money  and  participating 
in  voluntary  community  work.  Finally 
19%  of  young  people  mention  some 
those 
other 
proposed.

leisure  activity 

than 

European young women read more than 
their  male  counterparts  who  tend  to 
spend their time on sport and Internet.  

The  higher-educated  young  persons 
are more likely to mention going for a 
walk, a bike ride or exercising, reading 
and  going  to  the  cinema,  theatre  or 
concerts.  Young  people  at  the  lowest 
educational  level  category  are  more 
likely  to  mention  watching  television 
and helping out in the house.

Q3. What do you regularly do during your leisure time? 

  Base: all respondents (% of "Mentioned")

6  |

Go for a walk, a bike ride, sport  45%
Meet friends, go dancing, go out to drink, to eat  40%
Read  25%
Use the Internet, play video games  21%
19%
17%
16%
10%
7%
4%
4%
2%
19%

Watch TV 
Listen to music 
Go to the cinema, theatre or concerts 
Help out in the house 
Go shopping 
Play an instrument 
Do some work for money 
Participating in voluntary or communitary work 
Other 

Sports clubs are the most attractive organisations for young Europeans.

Clubs and associations are not very appealing

Organisations, associations and clubs 
are not very appealing for young people 
in the EU (only 22% of young Europeans 
are  a  member  of  an  organisation). 
Membership  of  sports  clubs  was  very 
popular  in  1997  and  2001  and  this 

remains  the  case:  in  2007,  almost 
half  of  organised  young  persons  are 
members  of  a  sport  club.  Following 
far behind, come youth organisations, 
cultural  associations,  trade  unions, 
Human 
organisations. 
religious 

rights  movements  and  consumer 
organisations  have  the  fewest  young 
participants.  There  is  a  clear  division 
between the northern Member States, 
where  young  people  are  more  often 
members  of  clubs  and  associations 
and  southern  Member  States,  where 
such membership is less extensive.

MEMBERSHIP OF AN ORGANISATION

Q4.  Are you a member of an organisation? 
Base: all respondents (%) 

           Q5.  Which type of organisations are you a member of?
                                                      Base: those who are a member of an organisation (% of "Mentioned")

No = 78%

Yes = 22%

Sports clubs/associations  49%
Youth organisations 
8%
Cultural/artistic associations 
8%
Trade unions 
7%
Hobby/special interest clubs 
7%
Political parties 
5%
Religious/parish organisations 
5%
Organisations animal protection/environment 
4%
Human rights movements 
3%
Consumer organisations 
1%
Other organisations  20% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY

Media play an important role in informing young people
about their rights and responsibilities as European citizens.

Sources of information about rights and responsibilities as a citizen of the EU

 |  7

88% of young persons state that they 
received information about their rights 
and  responsibilities  as  a  European 
citizen  through  the  media,  while  72% 
of  them  got  this  information  from 
schools and universities and 69% from 
parents and friends. 

Other  possible  sources  for  learning 
about one’s rights and responsibilities 
as  a  citizen  in  today’s  Europe  are 
mentioned  by  less  than  half  of  the 
young Europeans: 43% mention public 
local,  regional  and 
bodies  at  the 

national  level,  28%  select  political 
parties and electoral campaigns, 26% 
mention  European 
institutions  and 
22% youth organisations and clubs.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CITIZEN OF THE EU

Q8. From which of the following sources did you learn about your
rights and responsibilities as a citizen in today’s Europe? 

  Base: all respondents (% of "Mentioned") 

Media  88%
School, university  72%
Family, friends  69%
Public bodies at the local, regional, national level  43%
Political parties/electoral campaigns  28%
The European institutions  26%
Youth organisations/youth clubs  22%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY

No decision about young people without young people: 
The large majority of young Europeans wish to be consulted 
before any public decision that concerns them is taken. 
Young Europeans are keen on more programmes encouraging 
voluntary work. 74% of them think that such programmes are 
a good measure for increasing their participation in society.

Active participation – Means of participating 

is  taken.  Slightly 

Young  Europeans  place  particular 
emphasis  on  being  consulted  before 
any  public  decision  that  concerns 
them 
less  than 
one 
in  ﬁ ve  young  person  reports 
being  currently  engaged  in  voluntary 
activities,  the  importance  of  which 
they recognise – slightly less than three 

out  of  four  think  that  a  good  measure 
improving  the  participation  of 
for 
young  people  in  society  would  be 
increasing  the  availability  of  pro-
grammes  that  encourage  voluntary 
work. Finally, 70% of young Europeans 
think  that  the  introduction  of  a  com-
pulsory educational programme about 

citizenship at schools would help for a 
greater  participation  of  young  people 
in society. 

Lowering the voting age as a measure 
to 
in 
increase  active  participation 
society is mentioned by less than one 
in ﬁ ve young people.

INCREASING ACTIVITY AS A CITIZEN IN SOCIETY 

Q9. Which of the following would help you to be more active as 

a citizen in the society? 

  Base: all respondents (% of "Mentioned")

8  |

If young people will be consulted before any public decision concerning them is taken  81%

If more programmes  encouraging voluntary work would be available   74%

If a compulsory educational programme about citizenship would be introduced in schools  70%

If the voting age would be lower  19%

Participating in debates with policymakers is the most 
signiﬁ cant political action to ensure that their voices are heard, 
according to a large number of young Europeans. 
Young people’s voices heard

In  all  Member  States,  a  substantial 
number  of  young  persons  believe 
that  participating 
in  debates  with 
policymakers  is  the  most  important 
political  action  to  ensure  that  one’s 
voice is heard, much more than to take 
part  in  a  demonstration  or  to  sign  a 
petition.  Nevertheless  more  than  one 
third  believe  in  some  kind  of  more 

permanent engagement in participative 
democracy  –  joining  a  political  party 
(16%),  a  trade  union  (11%)  or  an  NGO 
(11%). 

Demonstrating as a way to ensure that 
one’s voice is heard is mentioned more 
often  by  young  people  in  southern 
European  countries  and  Germany, 

while  signing  a  petition  appears  to 
be  a  preferred  action  in  most  central 
European Member States and some of 
the  12  new  Member  States.  Young 
people in the Scandinavian countries, 
the  UK,  Ireland  and  the  Netherlands 
are more likely to mention membership 
in a trade union.

POLITICAL ACTIONS TO ENSURE THAT ONE’S VOICE IS HEARD BY POLICY MAKERS        

Q10. Which of the following political actions do you think is the MOST 

important to ensure that your voice is heard by the policy makers?        Base: all respondents (%)

To participate in debates with policy makers  29%
To join a political party   16%
13%
11%
11%
11%
2%
6%

To take part in a demonstration 
To sign a petition 
To be member or support a NGO 
To join a trade union 
Other 
DK/NA 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY

Young people in today’s Europe claim that they are interested
in politics and current aﬀ airs at local, regional, national and 
EU level, but are also actively involved in political life.

 |  9

Interest in politics 

Participation in an election or a
referendum in the last three years

Active involvement in political life

A majority of young Europeans say that 

Asked if they had voted in an election 

More  than  one  in  four  young  people 

they  are  very  interested  or  interested 

or  referendum  in  the  last  three  years, 

signed  a  petition  during  the  last  year 

in  politics  and  current  aﬀ airs:  82%  of 

62% of young Europeans state that they 

and almost the same number presented 

them are interested in politics in their 

did vote in an election or referendum. 

his or her view in an online discussion 

own country, 73% claim to be interested 

Only 13% of young people say that they 

forum.  One  in  ﬁ ve  young  Europeans 

in politics at a city or regional level and 

did not vote, while less than one in four 

took part in a public demonstration.

66% say they are interested in politics 

was not yet eligible to vote.

and current aﬀ airs in the EU.

The 

largest  percentages  of  young 

involvement  among  young  persons 

The  highest  level  of  overall  political 

Young  Greeks  have  the  highest  level 

persons who did not vote in an election 

was  recorded  in  Denmark,  Finland 

of  interest  in  politics  and  current 

or a referendum in the past three years 

and  Sweden  and  the  lowest  in  Latvia, 

aﬀ airs  on  all  three  levels  while  young 

is found  in Latvia, the UK and Portugal, 

Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary and Malta.

people  in  Romania,  Belgium  and  the 

and 

the  smallest  percentages 

in 

Czech Republic have the lowest level of 

Belgium,  where  voting  is  compulsory, 

interest in politics in general. 

followed by Sweden and Italy.

Older  and  highly-educated  young 

persons  and  those  who  live  in  a 

metropolitan  area  are 

the  most 

interested in politics at all levels. 

Young men tend to be more politically 

active.  This  is  especially  the  case  for 

presenting  one’s  view  in  an  online 

forum  or  for  taking  part  in  a  public 

demonstration. 

Young 

Europeans 

living  in  a  metropolitan  area  are  the 

most  likely  to  be  involved  in  political 

life,  followed  by  young  urban  people, 

while  those  from  rural  areas  are  the 

least likely to be involved.

Young people overwhelmingly express their wish 
to have civic education at school.

EMPLOYMENT AND AUTONOMY

For young people in Europe
the four most useful qualities needed to ﬁ nd a good job are:

- Communication and teamwork skills
- An Apprenticeship or a training course
- IT, computer and communication technology abilities 
- Knowledge of a foreign language

Transition towards employment 

the  most  useful  skills 
What  are 
needed 
job? 
Communication  and  teamwork  skills, 

for  ﬁ nding  a  good 

an apprenticeship or a training course, 
IT,  computer  and  communication 
technology  abilities  and 
foreign 
language  knowledge  are  the  most 
mentioned by young Europeans. 

USEFUL QUALITIES IN FINDING A GOOD JOB – MOST USEFUL QUALITY

think 

young  persons 

that 
Few 
entrepreneurial  skills  or  knowledge 
of  the  business  world  and  a  good 
appearance  are  useful  in  ﬁ nding  a 
good job.

Q17. Which of the following qualities do you think is the most

 useful for you in  ﬁ nding a good job?  

   Base: all respondents (%)

10  |

Communication and teamwork skills  27%
Having completed an apprenticeship or training course  21%
IT, Computer, communication technology skills 
17%
Foreign language skills 
16%
Entrepreneurial skils, knowledge of the business world 
9%
Good appearance 
6%
Other 
2%
DK/NA 
2%

The most important diﬃ  culty in ﬁ nding a job for 
38% of young Europeans is the lack of jobs in their country.  

Diﬃ  culties in ﬁ nding a job

Support in ﬁ nding a job

What are the main diﬃ  culties in ﬁ nding 
a  job  for  young  persons  in  today’s 
Europe? 38% of them mention that the 
most important reason is a lack of job 
opportunities in their country. 

Slightly less than one in four think that 
the main problem is a lack of practical 
experience,12% blame lack of training 
opportunities  and  11%  mention  that 
they  have  poor  careers  advice  at 
school.

Young  people  from  the  EU15  Member 
States  are  more  likely  than  those  in 
the 12 new Member States to say that 
the  main  reason  for  being  unable  to 
ﬁ nd a job would be a general societal 
problem (e.g. a lack of job opportunities 
or  insuﬃ  cient  training  opportunities 
in  their  country)  while  young  people 
in  the  new  Member  States  are  more 
likely  to  select  a  reason  related  to 
them personally (e.g. they do not have 
enough practical experience).

DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING A JOB – MOST IMPORTANT DIFFICULTY 

According to 30% of young Europeans, 
employment agencies are best suited to 
oﬀ er the best support in helping them 
to  ﬁ nd  a  job,  26%  think  that  schools 
and universities oﬀ er the best support, 
and 23% state that companies are the 
most helpful in any job search.

Q12. If you would be looking for a job, which is the MOST important

  reason why you would not be able to ﬁ nd one? 

  Base: all respondents (%)

Because of the lack of job opportunities in [COUNTRY]  38%
Because I don’t have enough practical experience  24%
12%
11%
8%
4%
3%

Because there are not enough training opportunities 
Because I have not received proper job orientation at school 
I would ﬁ nd a job, no diﬃ  culties 
Other 
DK/NA 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EMPLOYMENT AND AUTONOMY

Language barriers are the main reason that young Europeans think 
that it might be diﬃ  cult for them to ﬁ nd a job in another country.

Finding a job abroad

 |  11

Language diﬃ  culties is considered the 

follow far behind. Only young people in 

most  signiﬁ cant  reason  that  makes 

Malta  think  that  the  main  diﬃ  culty  in 

young Europeans  believe that it might 

ﬁ nding a job abroad is that they could 

be  diﬃ  cult  for  them  to  ﬁ nd  a  job  in 

not aﬀ ord it.

another  country.  All  other  reasons 

If faced with unemployment, one young European in three would 
accept a job not corresponding to his/her qualiﬁ cation, but only if 
it met certain conditions, such as job stability and a good salary.

Unemployment

Confronted with unemployment, young 

would try to ﬁ nd an apprenticeship or 

(21%  would  accept  any  job  without 

Europeans are not very willing to make 

training  course  and  14%  would  try  to 

conditions)  while  young  Latvians  are 

concessions: 33% of them would accept 

set  up  their  own  company.  However, 

the most demanding (17% would keep 

any  job,  if  it  met  certain  conditions, 

the  lower  their  education  level,  the 

looking for a job appropriate for them).

such  as  job  stability  and  a  good 

more  willingly  they  would  accept  any 

salary;  only  one  in  ten  would  accept 

kind of job without setting conditions. 

any  job  without  such  conditions.  31% 

Young Swedes are the least demanding 

EMPLOYMENT AND AUTONOMY

Lack of means to live on their own is the number one cause 
in restricting young Europeans from leaving the nest.

Growing autonomous - Becoming an adult 

Why do young people tend to live with 
their parents longer than they used to?

The  number  one  reason  is  ﬁ nancial: 
44% believe that this happens because 
they  cannot  aﬀ ord  to  move  out,  and 
28%  because  of  lack  of  aﬀ ordable 
housing. 16% give a more self-centred 

reason,  agreeing  with  the  statement 
that  young  people  today  prefer  to 
prolong  a  comfortable  situation  with 
fewer responsibilities. 

Few  young  Europeans  think  that  get-
ting married later or having to support 
their  parents  ﬁ nancially  are  the  main 

reasons for leaving their parents home 
later than before.

A  lack  of  ﬁ nancial  resources  is  given 
as  the  primary  reason  in  16  out  of  27 
Member  States.  In  10  other  countries, 
the  shortage  of  aﬀ ordable  housing  is 
selected as the most signiﬁ cant cause.  

REASONS FOR LIVING LONGER AT THEIR PARENTS’ HOMES 

Q14. What do you think is the MAIN reason that young adults live in 

  their parents’ homes longer than they used to? 

  Base: all respondents (%)

12  |

They can’t aﬀ ord to move out   44%
There’s not enough aﬀ ordable housing available  28%
16%
7%
3%
2%
1%

They want all the home comforts without all the responsibilities 
They get married later than they used to 
They have to support their parents ﬁ nancially  
Other reasons 
DK/NA 

Young Europeans in 2007 no longer rely primarily on the family 
for their ﬁ nancial needs. The main source of income 
in 2007 for 43% of them is regular work. 

Achieving ﬁ nancial autonomy

Slightly more than four out of ten young 
people  say  that  their  main  source  of 
income is a regular job (which does not 
necessarily imply employment). 

mentioned income source is a training 
allowance or an educational grant, and 
the Netherlands, where casual work is 
the second most signiﬁ cant. 

signiﬁ cant 

In  most  Member  States  the  second 
source 
most 
is  relatives  or  a  partner,  with  the 
exception  of  Denmark,  Finland  and 
the  second  most 
Sweden,  where 

income 

In Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary, 
relatives or a partner are still the main 
providers  of  ﬁ nancial  resources  for 
young  persons  while  regular  work 
comes in the second place.

Women  are  more  likely  than  men  to 
mention  that  relatives  or  a  partner 
provide most of their income, and men 
are more likely to say that they obtain 
the 
largest  part  of  their  ﬁ nancial 
resources through a regular job.

The  highly-educated  mention  more 
often a regular job as the main source 
of  their  income,  while  less-educated 
tend  to  refer  to  relatives  or  a  partner, 
and  unemployment  or  social  security 
beneﬁ ts as their main income streams.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Q18. Where do you get MOST of your money from? 

  Base: all respondents (%)

Relatives, partner 
Casual work 
Training allowance or educational grant 
Unemployment or social security beneﬁ ts 
Work in the black economy 
Other 
DK/NA 

My regular job   43%
31%
10%
7%
5%
1% 
2%
1%