Understanding Young Informal Workers in the European Union: Pre-Pandemic Labour Market Dynamics

Abstract Young people are one of the most important groups in the labour market, but also one of the most vulnerable. They do not find it easy to enter the labour market, which may have a negative impact on the growth of undeclared work among this group. The main objective of this study is to establish a baseline understanding of the situation of young informal workers prior to the pandemic by developing a comprehensive profile of these workers at the EU27 level. This profile is based on statistical analysis of undeclared work data from Eurobarometer 92.1/2019. The results of this study include: the share of young informal workers in the EU27, the types of activities they perform, the sectors of the labour market in which they perform these activities and the reasons why they perform them. By creating this profile, this study aims to contribute to future research that will provide a clearer understanding of how the Covid-19 pandemic has led to labour market changes in youth informality.