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 the participation of young people in education and the labour market published by Eurostat today.
Despite a quarter of young Europeans being employed while studying, this statistic shows substantial differences at the 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.