According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), worldwide there are as many as 73.5 million unemployed young people and this figure will likely further increase by half a million by 2014.

Out of these 73.5 million young people without a job, 5.8 million live in Europe.

The ‘Global Employment Trends 2013’ recently published by the ILO states that due to a lack of growth and job creation in Europe, youth unemployment rates and the average duration of unemployment are set to rise further.

As recognized by the ILO, the PES will continue to demanded a European-wide youth guarantee.

To integrate young people in the labour market, youth guarantees establish a framework for more jobs and increased training opportunities for young people.

Due to ongoing PES pressure, last December the European Commission proposed a youth guarantee to the Member States. The PES has pledged to keep the spotlight on the need for a European-wide youth guarantee ahead of the Social Ministers’ Council in February.