A report from the EU agency Eurofound indicates that 18.8% of jobs in the European Union were classified as vulnerable in 2021, with Spain recording the highest rate.
Key facts
- •Eurofound defines employment vulnerability as a mix of income inadequacy, job insecurity, and lack of rights.
- •The 18.8% vulnerability rate in 2021 is an improvement from the 23.8% recorded in 2014.
- •Data for 2021 was unavailable for Cyprus, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
- •In Hungary, 58% of workers with low education levels are considered vulnerable, compared to 6% of graduates.
- •The report suggests that the accumulation of multiple vulnerabilities leads to negative outcomes like limited training access and unpredictable earnings.
A new report from Eurofound, the EU agency for living and working conditions, states that 18.8% of jobs across the European Union were considered vulnerable in 2021. The agency defines this vulnerability as a combination of income inadequacy, employment insecurity, and a lack of workplace rights. While the current figure represents a decline from the peak levels seen after the 2009 financial crisis, the report highlights that nearly one in five jobs still fall below the agency's quality standards.
By the numbers
Regional disparities in job quality
The report highlights significant variations in job vulnerability across member states. Spain leads the EU with a 29% vulnerability rate, followed by Portugal and Luxembourg at 25%, and Italy at 24%. Conversely, Hungary, Malta, and Bulgaria recorded the lowest levels of vulnerability. The primary drivers of these issues also differ by region; low pay is the dominant factor in continental and central-eastern European countries, while involuntary temporary or part-time work is the primary cause in Mediterranean and Nordic states.
Demographic impact and health outcomes
Vulnerability disproportionately affects specific groups, including women, young workers, migrants, Roma, people with disabilities, and LGBT+ individuals. Factors such as discrimination, care responsibilities, and limited education contribute to these disparities. The report notes that while single-dimension vulnerability does not always lead to poor outcomes, the accumulation of multiple vulnerabilities is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression among workers.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Euronews Business.
