In 2023, 25.7% of young Europeans (15-29) worked while studying, 71.4% stayed out of the labour force, and 2.9% were unemployed but actively job hunting during formal education, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Despite a quarter of young Europeans being employed while studying, Eurostat’s data showed 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 among EU countries.

Further data showed that 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.

Meanwhile, men exhibited 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.

Eurostat’s data also showed 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.