Three Eastern Cases of Youth Unemployment Trends – Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the youth unemployment situation in Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania, relatively similar to economic development and with different EU member state status. It analyses distinctions in the corresponding rates on a national level and makes an attempt to summarise skills required in these labour markets which young people need to improve. Methodology: The article is a continuation of previous studies of the authors based on youth unemployment in Bulgaria and, in particular, the barriers before young people to enter the labour market successfully. The research focuses on trends of the levels of unemployment of young people during recent years using publicly available data from Eurostat as well as the skill mismatches which challenge youths to be more successful when starting their careers. The study gathers information from relevant scientific publications as well as from various reports, dedicated to this topic. Findings: The article distinguishes between the different trends in youth unemployment, looking for specific reasons. It also suggests common barriers for young people to enter the labour market in the countries under review. Practical implications: A clear view on the movement in unemployment rates amongst young people in neighbouring countries and the main barriers for them to start successful careers could be prerequisite for the countries commented to improve their policies towards management of this issue. Moreover, they could combine their efforts and create a synergetic effect trying to tackle the problem regionally. Originality/value: The paper aims to outline common challenges of a few neighbouring countries in the Balkans and, as a result, formulates trends typical for those countries which could be applicable to the bigger part of the region. The study incorporates two points of view – from a national and individual perspective to analyse labour markets.