Youth on the edge

Youth unemployment is a big problem in the Nordic region. Especially exposed are those who end up ‘on the edge’ of the labour market. They have neither jobs nor are they in any kind of education. Many youths move to a different Nordic country to work. But so far this has not helped those who are unemployed. Only 1.4 percent of Swedish youths who move to Denmark and Norway are on some kind of unemployment benefit. This summer the Nordic exchange programme Nordjobb launches ‘Jobbresan’ (the Job Journey).

Swedish youths’ first job in Norway

Söderhamn municipality organizes Jobbresan (the Job Journey). It is a cooperation between the municipality, the public employment service and the social insurance agency.

Before travelling to Norway unemployed Swedish youths attend a month-long course in how to apply for jobs, they get advice on how to get a Norwegian ID number and a bank account, and on how to find a place to live. The first month in Oslo they stay at a hostel.

Nordic report: ‘Youth on the edge’ the greatest problem: Nordic youth unemployment figures between 10 and 25 percent are bad enough. Even more alarming is the fact that 5 to 10 percent of Nordic 15 to 24 year olds are not in education, work or training. This problem has risen during the latest economic crisis.; Read more:

Denmark’s rapidly growing youth unemployment must come down: Unemployment among young Danes has trebled in four years, and the government promises action despite an initial breakdown in negotiations between the social partners on a youth initiative.; Read more:

In Focus

"We will stand up as a people and demand what is rightfully ours. We will take responsibility for ourselves and for our families. And as politicians we will take responsibility for our country."

Aleqa Hammond, Prime Minister of Greenland