This publication analyses whether it is possible to reduce youth unemployment by an increase in the number of retirements. The publication also discusses how one should analyse Swedish youth unemployment in order to discover what the real problems are and how these can be solved.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT in Sweden is high. Efficient measures in order to decrease youth unemployment require a careful analysis of both the problems and suggestions for solutions. This publication analyses whether it is possible to reduce youth unemployment by an increase in the number of retirements. The publication also discusses how one should analyse Swedish youth unemployment in order to discover what the real problems are and how these can be solved.
THE LABOUR MARKET ADJUSTS TO LABOUR SUPPLY. There is no obvious relationship between how many elderly people there are on the labour market and how easy it is for young people to get a job. An increase in the number of retirements would probably not solve the problems with high youth unemployment. And a higher retirement age would not reduce the possibilities for young people to enter the labour market.
INSUFFICIENT EDUCATION IS THE BIG PROBLEM. The problems with youth unemployment are largely concentrated to those young people who have not completed secondary school. Thus, a comprehensive school is needed which ensures that all pupils exit with grades that make them eligible for secondary school. And a well-working vocational secondary education with larger contact areas to working life is needed.
AUTHOR Anders Forslund is Professor of Economics at Uppsala University and active as Researcher and Deputy Director at the Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy (IFAU). e-mail: anders.forslund@ifau.uu.se.