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Unemployment and economic security for young adults in F inland, N orway and S weden: From unemployment protection to poverty relief

2012; Wiley; Volume: 23; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/ijsw.12006

1468-2397

Thomas Lorentzen, Anna Angelin, Espen Dahl, Timo M. Kauppinen, Pasi Moisio, Tapio Salonen,

Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

In this study, we investigated if there has been a displacement in the type and coverage of welfare services available for young unemployed adults in F inland, N orway and S weden over the last two decades. This question is important because a number of studies have argued that the generous unemployment benefits and extensive labour market intervention found in the N ordic welfare states shield young people from the most severe consequences of economic inactivity. In this article, we instead show that during this period, less generous means‐tested unemployment and social assistance benefits have become the most important form of income protection for young people. In evidence, earnings‐related unemployment benefits now cover only 10 per cent of unemployed S wedes and F inns and 45 per cent of unemployed N orwegians aged 24 years or younger. This development marks a significant change in our understanding of unemployment protection for young people in N ordic countries.