Življenjske razmere in kakovost življenja

Ključna sporočila politike

Glavne ugotovitve Eurofoundovih raziskav se uporabijo kot podlaga za oblikovalce politike pri obravnavanju nekaterih ključnih vprašanj na tem področju.

• Zaznavanje napetosti v družbi najmočneje krni zaupanje v institucije, prav to zaupanje pa se najbolj krepi z zaznano kakovostjo javnih storitev.
• Treba je zagotoviti več dolgotrajne oskrbe – z večjo prožnostjo. Zagotoviti je treba večjo dostopnost oskrbe in pomoči na domu, zlasti v državah članicah EU z najnižjimi dohodki.
• Hiter dostop do primarnega zdravstvenega varstva, socialnega varstva in dolgotrajne oskrbe lahko vodi do zgodnjega ukrepanja in spremljanja spreminjajočih se potreb ter prepreči zaostritev težav na področju dolgotrajne oskrbe.
• Med mladimi je vse več težav z duševnim zdravjem, čeprav ni jasno, ali je to posledica večje pojavnosti ali boljše ozaveščenosti in diagnosticiranja. Duševno zdravje je tesno povezano z drugimi težavami mladih, oboje pa je lahko posledica neenakosti in hkrati vir neenakosti. Dejavniki tveganja za težave z duševnim zdravjem vključujejo invalidnost in kronične bolezni, težave v družini, težave v vrstniških odnosih in pretirana uporaba družbenih medijev.
• Čeprav so se po finančni krizi ravni zaupanja in socialne kohezije v EU na splošno izboljšale, je izbruh bolezni covid-19 v državah, ki jih je pandemija najbolj prizadela, občutno vplival na dobro počutje.
• Mladi so ena od skupin, ki so jih ukrepi omejitve gibanja najbolj prizadeli: kljub rahlemu izboljšanju stanja od začetka pandemije mladi poleg brezposelnih poročajo o najnižjih ravneh dobrega počutja. Medtem ko sta se zadovoljstvo z življenjem in optimizem od aprila 2020 povečala, imajo mladi še vedno občutek izključenosti iz družbe in so še vedno najbolj izpostavljeni tveganju depresije, kar kaže na to, da imajo omejitve gibanja nanje večji učinek.
• Ukrepi za zmanjšanje tveganj za duševno zdravje brezposelnih in mladih v obdobju po pandemiji bolezni covid-19 bodo ključnega pomena v primeru novih valov koronavirusa. Zagotavljanje ciljno usmerjene podpore, ki bo iskalcem zaposlitve omogočila, da si opomorejo in so kos posledicam pandemije, in polne udeležbe mladih v družbi, mora biti del političnih ukrepov, ki se že izvajajo.
• Kriza zaradi pandemije bolezni covid-19 je ravni optimizma bolj znižala pri ženskah kot pri moških; ženske so bile tudi bolj prizadete glede usklajevanja poklicnega in zasebnega življenja. Da ženske ne bodo nesorazmerno plačale za pandemijo, je nujno treba odpraviti povzročeno škodo.
• Ohranjanje zaupanja državljanov v nacionalne in evropske institucije mora v času krize ostati prednostnega pomena, saj je upoštevanje ukrepov za obvladovanje pandemije bolezni covid-19 močno odvisno od ravni zaupanja v institucije in znanost. Anketiranci, ki so imeli koristi od podpornih ukrepov, poročajo o višji stopnji zaupanja v institucije, s čimer pošiljajo jasno sporočilo nacionalnim vladam in 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.