Key facts
- 18.8% of EU jobs were classified as vulnerable in 2021.
- Vulnerability is defined by inadequate pay, insecure employment, or lack of workplace rights.
- Spain has the highest vulnerability rate at 29%, followed by Portugal and Luxembourg (25%), and Italy (24%).
- Job vulnerability has decreased since 2014, falling below pre-financial crisis levels.
- Low pay is the primary cause of vulnerability in many European countries, while insecurity is dominant in others.
- Disadvantaged groups, including women, young workers, and migrants, are disproportionately affected.
A report by Eurofound indicates that nearly one in five jobs across the European Union is considered vulnerable, based on criteria including inadequate pay, insecure employment, and a lack of workplace rights. Spain leads the EU with the highest rate of job vulnerability at 29%, followed by Portugal and Luxembourg at 25%, and Italy at 24%. The overall trend in job vulnerability has been declining since 2016, falling below pre-financial crisis levels.
The report highlights that the primary drivers of job vulnerability vary across regions. In countries like Germany and Austria, low pay is the most significant factor, while in Mediterranean and Nordic states, employment insecurity stemming from temporary and part-time work is more prevalent. Vulnerable jobs are disproportionately held by women, young workers, migrants, people with disabilities, and LGBT+ individuals, often due to discrimination, care responsibilities, or legal hurdles. Educational attainment and length of time in the labor market are protective factors against job vulnerability.
The accumulation of multiple vulnerabilities, rather than a single issue, consistently leads to negative outcomes such as poorer job prospects, limited access to training, reduced autonomy, and unpredictable earnings. Highly vulnerable workers also exhibit higher rates of anxiety and depression, though they are less likely to report work-related stress. Eurofound suggests that while flexibility in the labor market is important, it should not come at the expense of standards, emphasizing the crucial role of labor inspectorates in enforcing regulations.