OECD (2000)

E2
Education and Work Among the Youth Population
Chart E2.3.
Percentage of 15-19 year-olds in education
who are employed and unemployment to population ratio
of 20-24 year-olds not in education (1998)
Certain countries
(particularly Greece, Italy
and Spain) appear to be
in a difficult situation
regarding young entrants
to the labour market.
The situation is less
difficult in Belgium,
Czech Republic, Portugal
or Turkey, which have the
same low participation of
students in employment.
Unemployment to population
ratio of 20-24 year-olds not in education (%)
20 20
18
18
16
GRC
16
ESP
ITA
14
14
12
FRA
12
10
10
8
BEL
FIN
CAN
8
TUR
SWE
DEU
AUS
6
CZE
UKM
6
PRT
CHE
USA
DNK
4
4
2
NLD
2
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
60
Percentage of 15-19 year-olds in education who are employed (%)
Source:
OECD.
Employment to population ratios of non-students
Effective transition from
education to work is
more difficult for those
leaving the education
system relatively early,
i.e. for the younger age
groups of non-students,
and it is less smooth for
women than for men.
Employment to population ratios (i.e., the employment rate as a percentage
of an entire age cohort) among young adults who are not in education can
capture the benefits of effective transition frameworks and assist policymaking.
In most countries, fewer than 60 (and in some even fewer than 40) per
cent of 15 to 19-year-olds not in education are working, which suggests that
because these young people have left school early, they are not viewed by
employers as having the skills necessary for productive employment
(Table E2.1). Employment to population ratios for 20 to 24-year-olds generally
exceed 70 per cent, but ratios in some countries such as Finland, France,
Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey are still around or below 65 per cent. For the 25
to 29 age group, most countries have ratios of between 70 and 80 per cent, with
the exception of Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Employment to population
ratios for men tend to be higher than for women after completion of initial education,
probably because of family responsibilities (Tables E2.1a and b).
DEFINITIONS
The data for this indicator were obtained from a special collection with a
reference period in the early part of the calendar year, usually the first quarter
or the average of the first three months; they therefore exclude summer
employment. The labour force statuses shown in this section are defined in
accordance with the ILO guidelines, with one exception. For the purposes of
© OECD 2000
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