We publish regular reports on the labour market and social developments in the EU.
This analysis supports EU institutions, national governments and other stakeholders in social and employment policy making.
Key publications
Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) - Annual review
This review provides in-depth medium to long-term analysis of various employment and social issues, such as long-term unemployment, mobility and migration, people and skills as well as modernising social protection schemes.
Addressing labour shortages and bolstering the sustainability of labour supply in the EU require increased labour force participation alongside combating unemployment and underemployment. This report analyses the 51 million EU residents (aged 20-64) outside the workforce: women, older persons and migrants as the primary groups.
- Previous issues
- Printed copies available on request
Employment and Social Developments in Europe - Quarterly Review
This report provides a review of recent social and labour market developments in the EU. It looks at short-term changes in GDP and employment trends, e.g. employment and unemployment rates, long-term unemployment, youth unemployment, labour demand, productivity, changes in gross disposable household income and financial distress. It provides information on the EU as a whole, the euro area and each Member State.
In the second quarter of 2025, the EU real GDP growth slowed to 0.2% quarter-on-quarter (1.6% year-on-year), while euro area inflation eased to 2.0% in August, down slightly from 2.5% in March. For the remainder of the year, GDP growth is projected to hold steady at 1.3%.
Labour Market and Wage Developments in Europe - annual review
This report analyses the labour market from a macroeconomic perspective. It provides an analysis of recent employment and wage developments, looking at the euro area and the EU as a whole in comparison with its global trading partners. Each edition includes a thematic chapter that deepens the macro-economic analysis of a relevant issue.
A section is devoted to policy trends and recent labour market measures enacted by EU countries, based on the LABREF database. The report also describes the labour market recommendations addressed to each member state in the context of the European Semester.
Labour market and wage developments in Europe 2025 HTML version
Working papers
Working papers examine various aspects of employment, skills and social developments and policy in detail and are a basis for evidence informed policy making
This paper aims at sheding light how job profiles and their employment conditions, as well as some aspects of job quality, are changing due to green and digital transition, especially the impact of AI. The report aims at providing an early indication of the types and characteristics of jobs and subgroups of workers that may be affected by these technological advances.
