Youth unemployment has fallen in most Member States in recent years, but the numbers involved remain a cause for concern. In some Member States, the situation is still very worrying, with youth unemployment exceeding 40%. 8.7 million young people in Europe cannot find a job and are facing long-term unemployment or only working part-time.

What concrete steps does the Commission think could be taken to reduce youth unemployment, improve the quality of young people’s lives and their prospects, ensure equal opportunities and raise levels of civic awareness among the young, with all these things being objectives under the 2020 strategy?