Youth in the contemporary labour markets: A comparison of European Union and Serbia

Abstract

Youth unemployment in Serbia is almost twice as higher than it is the average of European Union member states. Assuming how certain similarity exists between Serbia’s and EU’s labour market, our objective is to identify these similarities and differences related to labour maket conditions. In this context, we are discussing following topics: unemployment indicators, labor market flexibility, qualitative labour market mismatch, work migrations of the youth, family legacy influence on employment outcomes and labor market policies. Based on comparative analysis of relevant researches and current statistical data, increasing similarity of European Union member states and Serbian labour markets is evident, especially in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The reasons for similarity can not be simply considered as convergence due to Serbia’s accession to the European Union. We also highlighted considerable differences of the labour market conditions in analysed cases that can permanently affect the socio-economic situation of young people.

Keywords

• youth unemployment
• European Union and Serbia
• comparative analysis
• labour markets characteristics
• economic crisis