The Commission published a report on the 19th of September 2024
The impact of reforms and financial support for early childhood education, lifelong learning, vocational training, and job support schemes in the EU are particularly promising. The latest Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) report shows positive effects on income, employment, social inclusion, and poverty reduction, helping narrow economic and social gaps across Member States. Investments between 2010 and 2021 increased median wealth and reduced disparities between countries. Despite overall economic and social progress, however, the report also finds that significant disparities persist both within and between countries.
Housing assistance improves affordability, reduces poverty, and aids employment. A European Affordable Housing Plan is in development. In 2022, housing allowances lowered the EU’s rate of people at risk of poverty by 1.4 percentage points. President von der Leyen appointed announced in her Political Guidelines 2024–2029 that the Commission will put forward a first ever European Affordable Housing Plan, to look at all the drivers of the housing crisis and to help unlock the private and public investment needed.
Investments in early childhood education boost employment especially for mothers to find and keep jobs, reduce gender gaps, and enhance children’s future job prospects which in turn boost economic growth. In the next Commission, the Child Guarantee will be strengthened to prevent and fight social exclusion through education, healthcare and other essential public services. The Commission will also put forward a first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.Investing in active labor market policies helps people secure and maintain jobs. Some EU funded training programs in Greece and job creation schemes in Ireland have increased the likelihood of employment for younger workers.
The report also highlights that active labor market can stimulate employment, foster long-term economic growth and help regions and countries catch up economically and socially, this initiative in funded by European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) The new Commission will put forward a Quality Jobs Roadmap, developed together with the social partners. It will support fair wages, good working conditions, training and fair job transitions for workers and self-employed people.
Active labor market policies, such as training programs, increase employment and wages, supported by ESF+. With funding dedicated to skills programs, notably through the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the ESF+, these EU initiatives are playing a crucial role in ensuring the transition towards a green and digital economy is fair, facilitate job transition, and help low and middle-income groups afford energy-efficient solutions in housing, transport and food. The new Commission will put forward a Union of Skills, focusing on investment, adult and lifelong learning, skill retention and the recognition of different types of training to enable people to work across our Union.
The report notes persistent disparities despite overall progress. The EU Commission will implement policies to address housing, poverty, quality jobs, and skills development in the coming years, as strong public support backs increased social investment.
