In a positive turn of events for the European Union’s youth, 2022 witnessed a record 82% of recent graduates aged between 20 and 34 securing employment. This Eurostat report highlights a substantial 7 percentage point (pp) rise from the figures in 2014, shedding light on a consistent upward trend in employment over the years, marred only briefly by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This remarkable employment rate in 2022 has outdone the previous record of 81%, a benchmark which was set in 2018 and remained unchanged in 2019.
A deeper dive into the data reveals a gender-based observation. While the employment rate among recent male graduates has perpetually been higher than for their female counterparts, 2022 saw the smallest recorded disparity between the two groups. The gap decreased to a mere 2 pp, indicating progress towards gender equality in employment, especially when compared to the highest disparity noted during this period, which was 4 pp in 2019.
Experts suggest that this variance in employment rates can be attributed to the specific fields of study chosen by men and women. For instance, a notable majority of students in science and technology sectors tend to be male.
Looking at national metrics, 2022’s employment statistics highlighted Luxembourg and the Netherlands as the frontrunners, both boasting an impressive employment rate of 93% for recent graduates. Germany and Malta followed closely with rates of 92% and 91% respectively. Conversely, Italy (65%), Greece (66%), and Romania (70%) registered the lowest employment rates for recent graduates.
In light of International Youth Day, which is marked annually on 12 August, these figures serve as a testament to the progress and efforts undertaken in bolstering employment opportunities for the young and freshly graduated populace in the EU.
