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Levevilkår og livskvalitet

Levevilkår og livskvalitet er en af de seks hovedaktiviteter i Eurofounds arbejdsprogram for perioden 2021-2024. Eurofound vil fortsat kortlægge og analysere centrale aspekter vedrørende forbedring af menneskers levevilkår i Europa, herunder oplysninger om deres opfattelse af livskvalitet og samfund. Covid-19 -pandemien og den deraf følgende økonomiske krise har haft stor indvirkning på folks liv, og Eurofound vil derfor yderligere undersøge krisens konsekvenser for EU's borgere på forskellige livsstadier.

I løbet af 2021-2024 vil Eurofounds forskning give et vigtigt indblik i udfordringer og perspektiver for levevilkår og livskvalitet i EU og hvilken rolle forskellige initiativer, der har til formål at afhjælpe de sociale problemer for forskellige grupper af borgere, spiller. Særlig interessante spørgsmål er konsekvenserne for ældre og plejebehov, unge og deres sociale inklusion og sociale mobilitet samt de forskellige konsekvenser af krisen for hhv. mænd og kvinder .

Offentlige tjenester i hele EU har spillet en vigtig rolle i håndteringen af covid-19-krisen, samtidig med at de har stået over for betydelige udfordringer, og de vil blive vurderet mere detaljeret med fokus på spørgsmål som kvalitet, adgang og prisoverkommelighed. Som tidligere resultater har vist, har krisen haft uforholdsmæssige konsekvenser for visse grupper afhængigt af alder, omsorgsansvar samt balance mellem arbejdsliv og privatliv, og dette vil Eurofound analysere yderligere.

Eurofound agter i samarbejde med Det Europæiske Institut for Ligestilling mellem Mænd og Kvinder (EIGE) at undersøge den flerdimensionelle kønsskævhed ved at se på covid-19-krisens konsekvenser for mænd og kvinder med hensyn til beskæftigelsesdeltagelse, materielle levevilkår og trivsel for at identificere forskelle og vurdere krisens indvirkning på kønsskævheder.

Kvaliteten af de offentlige tjenester har været nøglen til at skabe tillid til institutionerne i det moderne Europa og vil være afgørende for, at man kan overvinde nuværende og fremtidige udfordringer. Tjenester af høj kvalitet er også et område, hvor man kan være innovativ, navnlig i forbindelse med overgangen til digitale, mere miljøvenlige tjenester og beredskab mod pandemien i fremtiden.

— Tadas Leončikas, seniorforsker, enheden for sociale spørgsmål

Topic

Recent updates

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Increasing emphasis on independent living and social inclusion is driving deinstitutionalisation – the shift away from a reliance on residential institutions towards family- and community-based settings for the provision of...

25 oktober 2024
Publication
Research report

Vigtige politiske budskaber

Infografik

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.

2021–2024 work plan

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.

Addressing stakeholder priorities

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.

 

Eurofound research

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. 

Key outputs

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Eurofound's 2024 work programme is set in the context of the upcoming European elections, war in Ukraine, renewed Middle East conflict and rising cost of living across the EU.

23 januar 2024
Publication
Work programme
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For dyre boliger giver anledning til stor bekymring i EU. Det fører til hjemløshed, usikre boligforhold, økonomisk belastning og utilstrækkelige boliger. Det forhindrer også unge mennesker i at flytte hjemmefra...

30 maj 2023
Publication
Research report
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2022 begyndte med forsigtig optimisme. Europa var på vej ud af to år med covid-19-pandemien, og gennem NextGenerationEU blev der fastlagt en genopretningsplan for at skabe en stærk og bæredygtig...

4 maj 2023
Publication
Annual report

Eurofound expert(s)

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Hans Dubois is a senior research manager in the Social Policies unit at Eurofound. His research topics include housing, over-indebtedness, healthcare, long-term care, social...

Senior research manager,
Social policies research unit
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Massimiliano Mascherini has been Head of the Social Policies unit at Eurofound since October 2019. He joined Eurofound in 2009 as a research manager, designing and coordinating...

Head of Unit,
Social policies research unit
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Sanna Nivakoski is a research officer in the Social Policies unit at Eurofound. Before joining Eurofound in 2021, she worked as a post-doctoral researcher at University College...

Research officer,
Social policies research unit
Publications results (310)

In the context of an ageing population and increasing demand for care services in the European Union, there is growing concern about the supply of suitably qualified care workers. Low pay, low status, and high rates of turnover and burnout make it difficult to attract workers to the care sector and

28 June 2006

The Foundation is working on sustainable childcare services currently available for school-age children in the 25 Member States of the European Union (EU25). The study aims to support the debate on modernisation of care systems in Europe, to review existing information on childcare services and

18 June 2006

The Foundation is working on sustainable childcare services currently available for school-age children in the 25 Member States of the European Union (EU25). The study aims to support the debate on modernisation of care systems in Europe, to review existing information on childcare services and

18 June 2006

The Foundation is working on sustainable childcare services currently available for school-age children in the 25 Member States of the European Union (EU25). The study aims to support the debate on modernisation of care systems in Europe, to review existing information on childcare services and

11 June 2006

The Foundation is working on sustainable childcare services currently available for school-age children in the 25 Member States of the European Union (EU25). The study aims to support the debate on modernisation of care systems in Europe, to review existing information on childcare services and

11 June 2006

The Foundation is working on sustainable childcare services currently available for school-age children in the 25 Member States of the European Union (EU25). The study aims to support the debate on modernisation of care systems in Europe, to review existing information on childcare services and

11 June 2006

Fieldwork for a nationwide representative survey in Bulgaria was completed in June 2005. The survey findings indicate that working conditions are improving, with a number of indicators - from overall fatigue to the proportion of fixed-term contracts - revealing a better quality of work. However

11 January 2006

Promoting the well-being of people is a key goal of European social policy: happy, fulfilled and engaged citizens are the hallmark of a thriving society. Factors such as income, social relationships and time use all have a huge bearing on individuals’ quality of life. A recent Foundation report

21 December 2005

Family support, social contacts and an adequate work–life balance are essential factors in overall quality of life for individuals. However, time constraints resulting from changing work and family patterns are having a negative impact on personal life. People are finding it difficult to find time

21 December 2005

Income security and economic well-being have a huge bearing on people’s overall quality of life. Recent enlargement of the European Union has reshaped the contours of the economic landscape in Europe, resulting in a widening of the gap between the richest and poorest countries. A recent Foundation

21 December 2005

Online resources results (219)

More measures needed to attract people to teaching

The initial results of a comprehensive study (in Dutch, 398Kb PDF) [1] on teaching as a career have been published. The study was undertaken by the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB [2]) and the University of Antwerp (Universiteit Antwerpen [3]), and was commissioned by the Flemish Minister of Work

Differences in corporate family policies between MNC HQ and Czech subsidiary

At the turn of 2006 and 2007, the Department of Gender and Sociology of the Sociological Institute of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic (Sociologický ústav Akademie věd ČR [1]) carried out a research project, which sought to reveal employees’ work-life balance [2] conditions, and the

Fathers’ experience of parental leave

A joint study entitled ‘Fathers on parental leave’ has been carried out in Denmark, Lithuania, Malta and Iceland based on qualitative research with fathers on leave, employers and decision makers. In Malta, the research was commissioned by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC [1]). The study

Benefits of work–life balance measures in SMEs

The report /Promoting equal opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises/ (La promozione delle pari opportunità nelle piccole e medie imprese (923Kb PDF) [1]), published by the Confederation of Italian Industry (Confederazione Generale dell’Industria Italiana, Confindustria [2]), investigates

Parents and family–work conflict

At the request of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (Socialinės apsaugos ir darbo ministerija, SADM [1]), a joint research group conducted a survey in 2008 analysing parents’ needs for ensuring the welfare of their families. The methodology used was a representative survey of households

Majority of employers adopt work–life balance measures

In 2009, the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC [1]), Malta’s public employment service organisation, commissioned a transnational study on work–life reconciliation measures. The research was co-funded by the European Commission [2], with the countries Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Sweden also

Role of public employment service in reconciling work and family life

The research project ‘Reconciliation of work and family life in Slovenia: Role of the public employment service’ was carried out by a group of researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana [1] in 2008. The project sought to examine the framework for reconciling work

Reported health differences between working and non-working people

In 2006, almost 25% of the Norwegian population aged between 16 and 66 years was regarded as belonging to the population group of non-working individuals. Reasons for not working were classified into six categories: disability, unemployment, having an old-age or early retirement pension, acting as a

Role of managers in facilitating work–life balance

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU [1]) published a research paper in 2009, exploring the role of managers in relation to work-life balance [2] policies. The study is entitled Living to work or working to live? The role of managers in creating work–life balance in Ireland (181Kb PDF) [3]. [1]

Gender differences in quality of work and life

The project ‘QUALITY of life in a changing Europe [1]’ (2006–2009) has been conducted in eight countries – Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the UK – under the European Community Sixth Framework Programme. Based on quantitative and qualitative research, the


Blogs results (32)
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Austerity measures introduced during the crisis have disproportionately concerned cuts in the measures that are most vital for reducing child poverty: cash and tax benefits, a new Eurofound report shows. Furthermore, there has been a move away from universal coverage towards more targeted support. O

3 februar 2016
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Eurofound has been doing extensive work on the issues of mobility and migration. This blog gives a brief overview of the different aspects of EU mobile workers, posted workers and third-country migration, as well as a preview of our upcoming research.

11 december 2015

Upcoming publications results (2)

This report analyses data from Eurofound’s European Working Conditions Telephone Survey (EWCTS), the Living, working and COVID-19 e-survey and official statistics to examine employment trends, working conditions and social inclusion challenges experienced by young people in the Western Balkans (Alba

December 2024
Forthcoming
Publication
Research report

This factsheet will provide a snapshot of society and quality of life in spring 2024. It will look at a number of issues, including mental well-being, trust, access to healthcare, social support and coping with increases in the cost of living. The analysis is based on the Living and working in the

December 2024
Data results (1)
24 oktober 2023
Reference period:

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