Young, jobless, hopeless
According to a recent report on unemployment in EU countries released by Eurostat, Poland at the very bottom of the EU25 list.
In March 2005, the average unemployment rate in the EU amounted to 8.9 percent, with the lowest rates registered in Ireland (4.3 percent), Luxembourg (4.5 percent) and Austria (4.6 percent). The jobless total was highest in Poland (18.1 percent), Slovakia (15.9 percent) and Greece (10.2 in December 2004).
The most shocking data, however, pertains to the unemployment rate among Poles under the age of 25. It seems that if you are young, educated and eager to start a career, you had better emigrate. Not only is the under-25 unemployment rate the highest in the EU (36.4 percent) but it is as much as 10 percent behind the unemployment figures for the two other EU slackers in the field - Slovakia (27.6 percent) and Greece (26.2 in December 2004) - and is not even close to the EU average (19.1 percent).
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labor is aware of the problem and for the last two years has tried to fight it by means of the 'first job' program.
In 2004, 882,700 jobless youngsters took part in the program and, according to the Ministry different measures will limit the under-25 unemployment rate to 31.5 percent by the end of 2006.
In March 2005, the average unemployment rate in the EU amounted to 8.9 percent, with the lowest rates registered in Ireland (4.3 percent), Luxembourg (4.5 percent) and Austria (4.6 percent). The jobless total was highest in Poland (18.1 percent), Slovakia (15.9 percent) and Greece (10.2 in December 2004).
The most shocking data, however, pertains to the unemployment rate among Poles under the age of 25. It seems that if you are young, educated and eager to start a career, you had better emigrate. Not only is the under-25 unemployment rate the highest in the EU (36.4 percent) but it is as much as 10 percent behind the unemployment figures for the two other EU slackers in the field - Slovakia (27.6 percent) and Greece (26.2 in December 2004) - and is not even close to the EU average (19.1 percent).
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labor is aware of the problem and for the last two years has tried to fight it by means of the 'first job' program.
In 2004, 882,700 jobless youngsters took part in the program and, according to the Ministry different measures will limit the under-25 unemployment rate to 31.5 percent by the end of 2006.
