Abstract
The notion of vulnerability has acquired an important role in social policy debates. Therefore, the identification of vulnerable groups and their conditions is particularly important for the orientation of public policies and risk reduction. This article aims to offer a broad vision of the situation of European youth (15–29) using three dimensions of vulnerability (personal, economic and socio-cultural dimensions). To do so, we developed a multidimensional approach combining a system of indicators (N = 33) to contrast the evolution of the aforementioned dimensions among the European countries. Based on secondary analysis of quantitative data on European member states, we compared the evolution during two moments in time. The first period examined was 2012–2014, after the global financial crises but prior to the implementation of Youth Guarantee, whereas the second was the period which allowed for an examination of the latest updated data available (2017). Our results confirm territorial imbalances that affect the lives of European youth and their future opportunities. Northern countries led this scenario combining an inclusive education system with supportive labor market policies offering more opportunities to overcome risks. Although this multidimensional analysis is exploratory, its findings provide preliminary insight into the configuration of the dimensions of vulnerability in European youth.
Highlights
The second half of the twenty century created growing social uncertainties and new forms of man-made insecurities that affect the industrial bases of society as well as the concept of nation states
This paper proposes tries, there is a slight increase in the valuessituation of the dimensions, especially in em-a multidimensional approach explore the situation of young people in Europe ployment, as described in thetoprevious section
The analysis of according countries to three vulnerability: empowerment, civic-social engagement and employabased ondimensions these threeofdimensions does not fully reflect the differences corresponding to bility
Summary
The second half of the twenty century created growing social uncertainties and new forms of man-made insecurities that affect the industrial bases of society as well as the concept of nation states. Because of this process, the foundation institutions (work, family and welfare) have progressively lost the capacity to provide security to many citizens [1]. One of the main groups considered at risk of social exclusion and most vulnerable in EU policies and plans is young people This group is often considered to suffer from an intrinsic “inherent vulnerability” related to their stage in the life process, which is reflected in the difficulties they experience in enjoying their rights [4]
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