Analysis of the economic and social situation would suggest that the objective of reaching a 75% unemployment rate for the active population in the European Union by 2020 is within reach, despite certain difficulties persisting since 2008 and the emergence of new challenges, according to the most recent annual examination of the employment and social situation presented by the European Commission on Tuesday 20 December.
Unemployment remains high, particularly in the eurozone, poverty is gaining ground, integration of refugees in society and on the labour market is complicated and new kinds of employment linked to the digital economy provide a challenge to the European social model. Nonetheless, despite these difficulties, “this annual review shows that our efforts of the last years are bearing fruit”, European Commissioner for Employment Marianne Thyssen stated during the presentation of this report.
There are a number of positive signs: rising employment, the decrease in poverty and renewing convergence between member states, which all suggest that the objectives set out in the EUROPE 2020 Strategy of reaching a 75% employment rate by 2020 could be reached, the Commission explained. This rate currently stands at 71.1%. The Commission is counting on the European pillar for social rights and new initiatives as part of the strategy for new skills in Europe to help achieve this aim.
The report can be accessed at: https://goo.gl/Xtgjr3 (Original version in French by Jan Kordys)