Times of Change: Young Adults' Perceptions on Labour Market Issues Before and During the Pandemic

Abstract

Young individuals have consistently constituted a distinctive group within the labour market. They have been and continue to be among the vulnerable categories affected by the changes in the labour market. Thereby, in contrast to previous economic crises, the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them more significantly and within a considerably shorter time frame. Nevertheless, the impact has varied among individuals, with socio-demographic factors like gender, educational level, residential environment, occupation, and digitalization level playing a crucial role in the observed disparities. In this context, utilizing data from Eurobarometers 91.5/2019 and 93.1/2020, the study aims to analyse how young individuals perceive the economic situation and the labour market issues both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the differences that have arisen as a consequence of this crisis. The paper will also investigate variations in socio-demographic variables. The findings will add to existing research, seeking to comprehend the effects of the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on young people in the labour market.