Levevilkår og livskvalitet

Vigtige politiske budskaber

De vigtigste resultater af Eurofounds forskning tjener som input til de politiske beslutningstagere i deres behandling af nogle af de centrale spørgsmål på dette område.

• Opfattelsen af spændinger i samfundet har den mest skadelige indvirkning på tilliden til institutionerne, mens den opfattede kvalitet af offentlige tjenester er en vigtig drivkraft for større tillid til institutionerne.
• Der er behov for mere langtidspleje – med større fleksibilitet. Hjemmepleje og hjemmehjælp bør gøres mere tilgængeligt, især i de EU-medlemsstater, hvor indkomsten er lavest.
• Hurtig adgang til primær sundhedspleje, socialomsorg og langtidspleje kan bidrage til tidlig indgriben og overvågning af skiftende behov samt forhindre en optrapning af problemer med langtidspleje.
• Mentale sundhedsproblemer er stigende blandt unge, selv om det ikke står klart, om dette skyldes højere forekomst eller større opmærksomhed og bedre diagnoser. Mental sundhed er tæt forbundet med andre ungdomsspørgsmål og kan både være et resultat af uligheder og en kilde til ulighed i sig selv. Risikofaktorer for mentale sundhedsproblemer omfatter handicap og langvarig sygdom, familieproblemer, problemer i forhold til jævnaldrende samt udstrakt brug af sociale medier.
• Selv om tillid og social samhørighed generelt er genopbygget i EU siden finanskrisen, har covid-19-udbruddet haft en betydelig indvirkning på velfærden i de lande, der er hårdest ramt af pandemien.
• De unge ser ud til at være nogen af dem, der har mistet mest ved nedlukningen, og som sammen med de arbejdsløse beretter om det laveste trivselsniveau på trods af en vis forbedring siden pandemiens begyndelse. Livstilfredsheden og optimismen er steget siden april 2020, men mange unge føler sig stadig udelukket af samfundet og er fortsat dem, der har den største risiko for at udvikle depression, hvilket viser, hvordan restriktionerne under nedlukningen har ramt denne gruppe hårdere.
• Foranstaltninger til afbødning af de mentale sundhedsrisici blandt arbejdsløse og unge i kølvandet på covid-19 vil være helt afgørende, hvis der kommer yderligere bølger af coronavirus. De løbende politiske foranstaltninger skal bl.a. fokusere på at yde målrettet hjælp til jobsøgende, så de kan komme tilbage på rette spor og tackle konsekvenserne af pandemien, samt på at sikre, at unge kan deltage i samfundet i fuldt omfang.
• Covid-19-krisen har udhulet optimismen og haft en større indvirkning på balancen mellem arbejdsliv og privatliv for kvinder end for mænd. Det vil være afgørende at rette op på dette problem for at sikre, at kvinder ikke kommer til at betale en uforholdsmæssig høj pris for pandemien.
• Opretholdelsen af borgernes tillid til nationale og europæiske institutioner skal fortsat være et centralt fokusområde i krisetider, da overholdelsen af foranstaltninger til bekæmpelse af covid-19 i høj grad afhænger af, hvor stor tillid der er til institutioner og videnskabelig rådgivning. Den større tillid til institutionerne, som respondenter, der har modtaget støtte, har angivet, sender også et klart signal til de nationale regeringer og EU.

During 2021–2024, Eurofound’s research will provide an important insight into the challenges and prospects in the area of living conditions and quality of life in the EU and the role played by various initiatives aimed at alleviating the social hardship of various groups of citizens. Of particular interest are the implications for older people and care needs, youth and their social inclusion and social mobility, and the varying consequences of the crisis on men and women.

Public services across the EU played a major role in addressing the COVID-19 crisis while facing significant challenges and they will be assessed in greater detail, focusing on issues such as quality, access and affordability. As previous findings have shown, the crisis has had disproportionate effects on certain groups according to age, care responsibilities and work-life balance, and Eurofound will analyse this further.

In coordination with the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Eurofound intends to research the multidimensional gender gap by investigating the impact on men and women of the COVID-19 crisis in terms of employment participation, material living conditions and well-being – in order to identify the differences and assess its effect on gender gaps.

Eurofound’s research aims to assist policy action addressing the challenges and opportunities for the EU and national levels in the area of living conditions and quality of life. In particular, it will monitor the impact of COVID-19 and the ensuing economic crisis by providing knowledge on status, trends, risks, as well as ways to improve living conditions in the EU. Eurofound will focus on identifying and analysing pressing issues for the most vulnerable groups, specifically older citizens and young people. Eurofound will also inform policymakers by producing evidence on trends and drivers in relation to the delivery of public services, also linking in, for example, with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The Agency’s work plan is aligned with the European Commission’s political guidelines over the next four years, directly feeding into a number of key policy areas aimed at creating a strong social Europe. In particular, the research will support policy initiatives and activities linked with the implementation of the European Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, the Youth Guarantee, the Child Guarantee and the European Semester and its country-specific recommendations.

• European Commission: Priorities 2019–2024: An economy that works for people
• European Commission: Priorities 2019-2024: Promoting our European way of life
• European Commission: Priorities 2019–2024: A new push for European democracy

In 2024, Eurofound continues to monitor trends in living conditions and quality of life, against the backdrop of the health-related and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the implications of the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices, and increases in costs of living. Building on the various rounds of the Living, working and COVID-19 e-survey, as well as on data gathered in 2023, the Agency investigates the impact of these challenges on the living conditions of Europeans.

The European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) commences in 2024, including some questions on working conditions and living conditions relevant to the aftermath of COVID-19. The European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) follows in 2026 using lessons drawn from the 2024 EWCS.

Research concludes on identifying groups not covered by social protection, due to coverage gaps and non-take-up of minimum income and unemployment schemes. It also looks at adequacy of these benefits, digitalisation of application procedures, linked service entitlements and sanctioning measures. Eurofound also publishes its findings on EU citizens’ rights and opportunities to live independently. It analyses the situation faced by various vulnerable groups and provides an overview of measures that facilitate family- and community-based care and support in the Member States.

Building on previous work on young people, research concludes on the life and prospects of young people in the post-pandemic era. Using new data collected in 2023, this research assesses the long-term impact of the pandemic on this group, looking into changes in the social situation of young people, as well as their quality of life, mental health and future prospects.

Analysis of the monitoring framework of the European Child Guarantee comes to an end in 2024, while new research starts to support national governments and the EU institutions in the implementation and evaluation of the Child Guarantee since it came into force. This work investigates the Member States’ levels of performance and their disparities, building on its previous work on convergence. It focuses on the workforce needed to deliver the Child Guarantee in areas of early childhood education and care, education, healthcare and other relevant sectors.

Considering the importance of care provision in EU societies, new research investigates informal care provision in the EU, the challenges faced by informal caregivers, and the measures in place to support them. This research considers care provided to people of all ages, while taking into consideration the diversity among informal carers. 

Eurofound launches new research on mental health services, investigating trends in and prevalence of mental health problems for different groups and how these needs are met in various countries in light of the pandemic and the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.