Malta's youth unemployment since EU membership

Abstract

Purpose: This study will attempt to investigate the unemployment rates of Malta from 2004 onwards, enhance what was established and what can be considered as success or failure. The study will also be focused on whether youth unemployment may lead to adult unemployment and how certain factors, mainly educational qualities can make a huge impact on the labour market and affect youth unemployment rates. Research Method: These objectives have been achieved by inviting quite a number of people to discuss and give their opinion about how youth unemployment is affecting Malta and how it is being tackled in the European Union. For this reason, I opted for Maltese Members of the European Parliament. The interviewees chosen were coming from different political backgrounds which includes the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and the group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) so that my study remains as neutral as possible. Findings: The findings reveal that youth unemployment should be scrutinized together with youth activity. Early school leavers are considered as the main reasons for the lack of education, qualification and skills of young people. In addition, the training offered should be of greater quality. Being in education when economic crisis emerge will prevent youths from becoming unemployed. The longer the recession, the greater the pressure will be on the labour market. Conclusion: The main conclusions of this study is that youth unemployment rates in Malta are widely influenced by the unions since they can protect adult workers and make it increasingly difficult for youths to be occupied. The education sector is also affected. The lower the education level attainment is, the higher the youth unemployment rate will be. Inflation rate, GDP growth rate and interest rate also tend to have an influence. Reducing the increasing levels of youth unemployment rates will enable the Maltese government to prevent repercussions in the future. I sincerely hope that this dissertation will also encourage further research.