No abstract

This paper provides an overview of the employment situation of young and old workers in the EU Member States, setting out the most recent development during the crisis and dealing with policies implemented to promote the employment of both groups. The evidence collected shows that there is no competition between young and older workers on the labour market. Structural or general policies to enhance the functioning of EU labour markets are crucial to improving the situation of both groups. However, the responsibility for employment policies still predominantly lies within Member States of the European Union, although initiatives taken at the EU level can provide added value, particularly through stimulating the exchange of experiences and facilitating regional and cross-border mobility throughout the EU.

Youth Unemployment and Vocational Training 1This paper focuses on the determinants of the labor market situation of young people in developed countries and the developing world, with a special emphasis on the role of vocational training and education policies. We highlight the role of demographic factors, economic growth and labor market institutions in explaining young people's transition into work. We then assess differences in the setup and functioning of the vocational education and training policies in major world regions, as an important driver of differential labor market situation of youth. Based on our analysis we argue in favor of vocational education and training systems combining work experience and general education and give some policy recommendations regarding the implementation of education and training systems adapted to a country's economic and institutional context.

Despite a more recent debate about ever deeper segmentation, the authors argue that since industrialization, Germany has continually experienced a dual labor market. One segment contains the primary segment of better paid and more attractive jobs, while the secondary segment encompasses rather low paid, less stable and less attractive jobs. Dualization is the result of firms which are likely to hire full-time and long-term workforce for its core activities while relying on more flexible forms of employment for other activities. Based on an in-depth examination of the structure of the workforce since 1871, the article investigates the factors which account for the origin, evolution and the peculiarities of the country's core workforce. The authors show that a non-negligible part of the working population has always been subjected to marginalization, but that the dividing line between the two segments has changed over time as has the character of the respective groups. Keywords

While many resources are available for people to increase their financial knowledge in Switzerland, recent studies indicate that the level of financial literacy is relatively low across nations. To gather the data, a quantitative online survey was conducted among young people in Switzerland. Overall, important demographic differences in financial literacy levels were found for the gender and education variables. Firstly, young men show a higher financial literacy score than women and invest more than women. In addition, individuals with a university degree scored better at the financial literacy questions than those without and were more likely to invest. However, no conclusion could be made about the relationship between income and financial literacy. The main reason why people did not invest constitutes a lack of knowledge. Unsurprisingly, individuals with lower financial literacy tend to make more financial mistakes, save less for retirement, and accumulate less wealth in their lives.