Youth in the EU (15-24 years old)

There is no clear definition of youth, while thresholds for child benefits, civic rights or end of education are different in the EU Member States. Moreover, statistics on youth refer to different age groups; therefore this document considers young people in the age group 15-24.

In 2010 there were 61 million young people aged 15-24 in the EU; in other words one in eight of the population. According to Eurostat projections in 2050 this age group will be 52 million representing 10% of the total population.

In 2010 the highest proportions of young people in the total population are in Lithuania (15.7%), Cyprus (15.2%) and Estonia (15.1%), while the lowest are Italy (10.1%), Greece and Spain (10.6% for both).

The following paper aims to give a picture of the employment, unemployment and education of young people. It also analyses the particular segment of young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). It considers a few indicators related to internet use, and two indicators of adulthood.

Read our Library Statistical Spotlight for more statistical data and graphical presentations.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.