Is freedom of movement a panacea for economic problems at home? The mobility aspirations of young people in the EU

In this presentation, I will focus on freedom of movement as perceived by young people in the EU. Since 2002, the EU has developed its own youth policy focussing on equal opportunities in education, training and employment. The impact of this policy is limited, as many member states are struggling with high youth unemployment and the phenomenon of NEETs (not in education, employment or training). Is the free movement of young people a panacea for economic problems at home? In this presentation, I will look at the mobility aspirations of young people in the EU in the context of freedom of movement and the perceived opportunity structures in their home countries. The empirical analysis is based on Eurobarometer data collected between 2010 and 2016, i.e. during and after the economic recession in Europe. The main argument of this study revolves around aspirations to move. The analysis will shed light on how young people in different countries view their position in the labour market, how they perceive the benefits of education for the needs of the world of work and how they assess policies that should facilitate access to the labour market. Against the background of the perceived opportunity structures, mobility efforts can be categorised as freedom of movement or as a quasi forced mobility. The data from the three Eurobarometer waves (2010, 2014, 2016) provide a better insight into the persistence of the economic crisis for European youth. Especially in the countries affected by the economic crisis, many see migration as an undesirable but realistic option for their lives and careers. While in the late 2000s most European countries experienced a harsh change of economic fortunes and deep recession, often followed by economic austerity measures, the situation was particularly challenging for young cohorts. Young people who were about to enter the world of work were faced with rising unemployment and poor employment conditions. What is more, the initial scarring related to entering the labour market during the recession could persist over time. For some young people, migration was an option to move towards places that could offer better life chances. Empirical analyses shed light on migration and the situation of youth in terms of education, training and work. The results also highlight how a recession can have a persistent mark on young people’s attitudes towards international mobility. Years after the economic recession is over, migration can remain an option to escape from economic troubles at home.