Search Results (223)

This paper synthesises the available evidence on the evolution of statutory minimum and average wages across European Union Member States over the period 2019–2024. It examines patterns of wage convergence and wage adequacy, the implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages, and their implications for broader labour market developments. The core period of analysis is 2019–2024. Earlier years are used only as historical or institutional background, while selected 2025 references are used for contextual policy updates and not as part of the main comparative period. The analysis draws upon peer-reviewed academic literature alongside official institutional and statistical data from Eurofound, Eurostat, the European Commission, the OECD, the ECB, and national authorities. The central research question asks whether recent increases in statutory minimum wages and average wages have contributed to upward wage convergence and wage adequacy across EU Member States, and under which institutional and macroeconomic conditions these developments have affected inequality, employment, inflationary pressures, and competitiveness. Its theoretical framework is grounded in the concepts of wage spillover and wage compression effects, the wage–price spiral debate, and institutional approaches to collective bargaining and wage setting. Evidence indicates substantial nominal increases in statutory minimum wages in most EU countries, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where upward wage convergence has reduced the gap with Western European countries. Despite concerns about inflationary pressures, the evidence does not support the existence of a generalised wage–price spiral. Instead, wage increases largely represent compensatory responses to externally driven inflation, producing moderate spillover effects on neighbouring wage levels and contributing to a partial compression of wage inequality at the lower end of the wage distribution. The study also identifies continuing challenges, including youth unemployment, precarious forms of employment, regional wage disparities and uneven collective bargaining coverage. It concludes that sustainable and adequate wage floors are best supported by transparent adjustment criteria, productivity growth, effective labour inspection, investment in skills and training, and inclusive collective bargaining institutions. Full article

This study explored the lived experiences of youth workers within formal education settings in South Africa. Utilising a qualitative approach, the study sampled 22 youth workers participating in presidential youth employment initiatives in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. The findings indicate that youth workers play a vital role in promoting social development among young people within formal education settings, a result that aligns with the empowerment theory guiding this research. Specifically, youth workers provide essential psychosocial and mental health support, contributing to holistic youth development. However, their effectiveness is frequently constrained by operational issues, including limited institutional recognition and ambiguous role definitions. Furthermore, a lack of sustainable funding and restricted time allocations for youth work activities remain significant challenges. The study recommends the formal institutionalisation of professional youth work within South African education policy, supported by clear operational frameworks, structured collaboration, and enhanced training to ensure sustainable learner support. Full article

Child marriage remains a persistent barrier to girls and young women’s education, health, and socioeconomic advancement in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper examines the perceived economic empowerment initiatives contributed to expanding life choices, including the prevention of child marriage and the delay of early marriage, within the Girls Get Equal (GGE) project implemented between 2020 and 2024 across three districts (Nkasi, Kalambo and Sumbawanga DC) in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania between 2020 and 2024. The paper adopted an explanatory mixed-methods case study design to explain aggregated project outcome indicators with participants’ lived experiences captured through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Endline evaluation interviews and focus group discussions were re-analyzed using a six-stage thematic analysis approach. The paper demonstrates that imparting skills in technical and business fields leads to robust job creation outcomes. A large majority of trained youth transitioned into employment or self-employment and a substantial proportion maintained stable income-generating activities. On top of that, community-based infrastructures, particularly savings and loan groups, emerged as important financial mechanisms as they enabled structures supporting enterprise development and household resilience. The integration of quantitative trends and qualitative narratives suggests that economic empowerment interventions can expand girls’ economic agency and influence their informed decision-making processes related to marriage. Finally, the findings suggest that combining vocational skills development with access to financial capital represents a promising pathway for addressing structural drivers of early and child marriage in economically vulnerable contexts. Full article

This study employs a qualitative narrative inquiry to explore how support systems and industry engagement influence youth employability and entrepreneurial aspirations within South Africa’s TVET sector. The central research question examines how young people’s personal stories reveal the impact of systemic barriers and support mechanisms on their identity construction, resilience, and agency. Using in-depth interviews and focus groups with 24 purposively sampled youth across Gauteng’s TVET colleges, the analysis combines thematic and narrative approaches to uncover recurring patterns and narrative structures. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 30, with a balanced gender distribution, representing various socio-economic backgrounds and career interests, selected through purposive sampling to ensure data richness and saturation. The analysis integrated thematic and narrative approaches, with a detailed coding process, theme development, and measures to mitigate bias through member checking and peer debriefing. Findings indicate that experiential learning, mentorship, family encouragement, and industry connections serve as critical support mechanisms that shape youth perceptions of opportunity and self-efficacy. Conversely, systemic barriers such as resource limitations and skills mismatches are frequently narrated as obstacles constraining pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that integrating youth narratives into policy development can foster more inclusive and effective strategies for youth empowerment. These insights contribute to the literature on youth employment by highlighting the active role of storytelling in identity negotiation and social critique within socio-economic contexts. Full article

Background: Quality of life (QoL) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is influenced by psychosocial factors, yet less is known about how these factors are examined across national contexts. Objective: This scoping review mapped studies examining depression, employment, and social participation in relation to QoL or health-related QoL (HRQoL) among individuals with SCI in the United States and South Korea. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, five databases were searched for peer-reviewed English- and Korean-language studies published between 2007 and 2025. Results: Sixteen studies were included: nine from South Korea and seven from the United States. Depression and psychological distress were associated with lower QoL/HRQoL in both countries, although South Korean studies more often examined depression with stress and functional concerns, whereas U.S. studies situated depression within participation, spirituality, and youth psychosocial functioning. Employment was linked to QoL/HRQoL in both contexts, with South Korean studies emphasizing economic activity, vocational rehabilitation, and financial strain, and U.S. studies emphasizing employment status and vocational outcomes. Social participation was important in both countries, but South Korean studies focused more on community transition, functional independence, and social attitudes, whereas U.S. studies emphasized participation contexts, accessibility, and social relationships. Conclusions: Across the three domains, depression, employment, and social participation emerged as recurring psychosocial domains associated with QoL/HRQoL after SCI in both countries. These differences suggest that psychosocial adaptation after SCI should be understood within cultural and rehabilitation contexts. Full article

Focusing on how environmental stressors intersect with socioeconomic vulnerabilities to shape migratory patterns, this study examines the relationship between climate change and youth (im)mobility in Ethiopia. It examines how climate shocks—including droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and land degradation—heighten household insecurity and shape young people’s migration decisions. Using mixed-methods data, including surveys and interviews conducted in Chencha, Dugna Fango, and Kebribeyah, the research shows that youth mobility serves both as a proactive adaptation and a reactive coping mechanism. Some young people migrate to pursue education, employment, and independence, while others move to meet immediate livelihood needs. Mobility pathways such as stepwise, return, seasonal, and rural-urban migration are shaped by social networks, local ecological conditions, and perceived opportunities. Kebribeyah emerges as the most vulnerable location according to the Household Susceptibility Index (HVI), highlighting regional disparities. By demonstrating that migration reflects both agency and structural constraints, the study challenges simplified push–pull models and advocates for policies that address spatial variations in vulnerability, support youth aspirations, and recognize migration as a legitimate adaptation strategy. It also offers insights for designing inclusive, context-sensitive interventions that bolster resilience and expand opportunities amid climate uncertainty, promoting a more nuanced understanding of climate-related mobility rooted in adolescent experiences. Full article

Reliable public-sector labour-market forecasting requires models that can be updated as data sources, AI tools, and labour-market signals evolve. This paper proposes a provider-independent multi-agent framework for dynamic predictive evaluation of national and regional labour markets in Bulgaria. Implemented as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, the system coordinates specialised agents for data ingestion, preprocessing, semantic extraction, AI-adjusted transformation modelling, automated model evaluation, and reporting through stable input–output contracts. The empirical application integrates Bulgarian Employment Agency administrative registered-unemployment indicators, Eurostat labour-market data, World Bank macroeconomic data, and textual, audio, and video evidence on AI, skills, and employment change. The analysis covers the period 2015–2030. Observed official data are used up to 2025 for model construction and validation, while the 2026–2030 values are reported only as forecast and scenario projections. For youth unemployment among persons aged 24 years or younger, the semantic-enhanced model achieves the best predictive accuracy (RMSE = 0.2033; MAE = 0.1457), representing a small improvement over the structured baseline (RMSE = 0.2057; MAE = 0.1462) and a substantial RMSE reduction relative to the persistence benchmark (RMSE = 0.4750; MAE = 0.2891). The AI-adjusted coefficient does not reduce holdout error relative to the semantic-enhanced model, but provides an explicit and sensitivity-tested mechanism for regional scenario interpretation. Regional forecasts indicate persistent spatial inequality, with the Northwest remaining the highest-risk region and the Southwest the lowest-risk region. Full article

Individuals who have experienced a violent injury are at an increased risk of subsequent reinjury. The traumatic event may increase one’s motivation to change the modifiable factors that are associated with violence risk. The current paper describes the assessment of potentially modifiable risk factors in a recently developed hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) for youth. Individuals aged 17–24 who sought hospital treatment for violent injury at a Level 1 Trauma Center enrolled to participate in a quasi-experimental study designed to evaluate a motivational-interviewing-informed case management HVIP (N = 48). Descriptive analyses of modifiable risk factors assessed at baseline for participants, including substance use, employment, housing, mental health issues, and firearm-related beliefs and behaviors, were conducted. Participants identified primarily as male (85%) and Black (87%). Commonly acknowledged risk factors included: PTSD (38%), unemployment or marginal employment (73%), low educational attainment (44% < high school equivalency), and daily marijuana use (55%). Participants’ acknowledgement of unsafe firearm behaviors was highly variable, with 50% denying any firearm carriage in the past 12 months. Nevertheless, participants reported neutral-to-moderate firearm beliefs, with moderate endorsement of needing a firearm for protection (M = 3.77, SD = 2.2) and acknowledgment that most people they knew carry a firearm (M = 3.6, SD = 2.0). However, there was mild disagreement with the idea that firearm carriage would reduce the likelihood of being victimized (M = 2.67, SD = 2.2). Given the variability in the reporting of unsafe firearm behaviors, HVIPs overly focused on firearm behaviors may not be appropriate for youth. Full article

Firearm homicide is a leading cause of death among children and young men in the U.S. (ages 1–19), with young Black males in urban environments facing rates 18-to-24-fold higher than their non-Hispanic White peers in 2023. A key precursor to firearm violence victimization is weapon-carrying behavior (WCB), defined as carrying, concealing, or displaying firearms or other weapons in community or social contexts that elevate risk for injury, interpersonal threats, or law enforcement contact. Several structural, behavioral, and trauma-based risk factors fuel weapon-carrying. Yet these WCBs are rarely studied in tandem, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of these high-risk behaviors for youth. This cross-sectional study leveraged baseline data from a convenience sample of 226 violence-exposed urban young Black males, ages 15–24 (M_age = 18.3 years; SD = 3.1) enrolled in a trauma-informed digital firearm violence prevention pilot study. Eligibility required prior personal or witnessed experience of youth violence; reported prevalence therefore characterizes a high-risk subgroup rather than urban young Black males as a whole. Past-30-day weapon-carrying frequency was measured across five YRBS-aligned categories (0, 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6+ days) and modeled as a categorical index under negative binomial regression. Associations with peer and community violence exposure, substance use, sociodemographic, and socioeconomic factors were estimated as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CI. Past-30-day weapon carrying was reported by 42.5% of participants, with carrying frequency ranging from 1 day to 6 or more days. Participants reported high levels of direct victimization (64.8%), witnessing community violence (76.4%), and use of nonprescribed medications, including in instances preceding violence. In the fully adjusted model, indicators of violence exposure were the most consistent correlates of carrying. Direct victimization (IRR = 1.15, p < 0.05), general exposure to violence or aggression (IRR = 7.82, p < 0.01), and physical fighting (IRR = 1.11, p < 0.05) remained independently significant. Conversely, associations with substance use, dating aggression, and employment were attenuated, suggesting shared ecological vulnerability rather than independent causal pathways. Findings underscore the central role of chronic violence exposure and support the need for trauma-informed, multilevel prevention strategies in clinical and community settings. Full article

This study examines labor market dynamics in Kazakhstan in the context of digital transformation, human capital development, and workforce adaptation. It focuses on unemployment trends, demographic changes, and structural labor market characteristics between 2010 and 2025. Several time-series forecasting approaches were evaluated to assess future unemployment trends. Among the tested models, SARIMA demonstrated the best forecasting performance and was used to estimate unemployment dynamics through 2028. The results indicate a relatively stable labor market, with a gradual decline in unemployment over the forecast period. The analysis also shows that demographic structure, youth labor market integration, migration processes, and educational attainment play important roles in shaping employment outcomes. Higher education is associated with lower unemployment, while vocational groups demonstrate greater labor market vulnerability. The study contributes by combining unemployment forecasting with demographic and workforce adaptation analysis in the context of an emerging economy. The findings suggest that workforce adaptability, digital skills development, and targeted employment policies may support sustainable labor market development under conditions of technological transformation. Full article

Big-data analytics are increasingly used in scouting and talent identification, with machine learning (ML) tools applied to evaluate and predict player performance based on match statistics, video tracking, physical and anthropometric tests, psychological assessments, social media data, and qualitative scouting reports. Advances in computer vision, together with the emergence of affordable automated broadcasting and data collection systems, have extended the deployment of ML-driven scouting from professional to youth sport. The use of algorithms in educational, employment, and healthcare settings has been shown to introduce biases and discrimination while wrongly assuming accuracy and objectivity because the decisions are made automatically and quantitatively. In this respect, we briefly describe the development of data-driven performance analysis and how ML-based technologies are currently applied for early screening and comparison of large player populations. Based on a narrative overview of the literature, we draw on evidence from education, employment, and healthcare to identify risks that may also emerge in ML-driven player evaluation, including algorithmic bias, non-representative training data, privacy concerns, and the persistence of model-based labels over time, especially in youth sport. Our main contribution is translating these threats into governance principles and operational safeguards for responsible use of AI in scouting and talent identification. Full article

Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (2SLGBTQ+) youth disproportionately experience homelessness compared to cisgender and heterosexual youth; however, there is a distinct lack of population-based housing programs designed to meet their specific needs, particularly in suburban contexts. This study applies the socio-ecological model to examine the multi-level factors shaping the experiences, needs, and housing trajectories of 2SLGBTQ+ youth residing at the Blue Door INNclusion program—one of the first population-based housing programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in a suburban region of Ontario, Canada. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and survey data with residents of the Blue Door INNclusion program, we explore youths’ pathways into homelessness, their experiences during program participation, and their transitions toward independent living. Analysis focuses on how intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and structural factors shape youths’ experiences of safety, belonging, and access to supports, as well as changes in mental health, social connections, employment, and education over time. Findings indicate that pre-entry experiences, including family rejection and housing instability, shaped youths’ needs and engagement within the program. Across socio-ecological levels, affirming relationships, inclusive organizational practices, and access to tailored supports were central to fostering safety and belonging. Over time, youth described improvements in mental health and social connectedness, alongside increased engagement in education and employment, while structural challenges such as financial precarity continued to influence their transitions toward independence. By situating youths’ experiences within a socio-ecological framework, this study offers theoretically grounded insights into the multi-level conditions that support housing stability and well-being among 2SLGBTQ+ youth in suburban transitional housing contests. Full article

In the current labor market, perceived employability is a key resource for university students approaching the transition from university to work, which is often marked by heightened stress, vulnerability, and unhealthy behaviors, particularly in contexts with high youth unemployment rates. Despite prior research documenting the buffering role of perceived employability in the relationships between career-related stressors and well-being, limited evidence exists regarding the roles of faculty support and self-compassion, a fundamental factor for effective emotional regulation, during university years. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the relationships between faculty support, self-compassion, career self-efficacy, career planning, and perceived employability through a self-report questionnaire completed by 186 Italian university students, mainly female, with a mean age of 21.24 (SD = 2.57). Results from a partial least squares model indicated that faculty support was indirectly associated with perceived employability through self-compassion, career self-efficacy, and career planning. These findings could support higher education organizations by suggesting the design of interventions to promote supportive learning environments and to develop training in emotional regulation skills. Such an approach could empower students to effectively cope with career-related stressors and, in turn, engage in adaptive behaviors associated with employability. Full article

Introduction: Increasing rates of youth suicide are a growing concern worldwide. The single highest risk factor for suicide is a prior suicide attempt; however, knowledge around the broader factors that may increase the likelihood of the initial suicide attempt is limited. Understanding these risk factors is critical for clinicians to inform the development of early intervention strategies. This study examines the characteristics of a specific cohort of young people attending a tertiary mental health service in Melbourne, Victoria, following a suicide attempt or with persistent suicidal ideation. Method: A file audit of all young people attending the service was conducted from the commencement of the new service in 2022 through to the end of 2024. One hundred and seventy-one files were examined for specific data, including items such as age, gender, gender diversity, socio-economic factors and neurodivergence. Results: One-sample z proportion tests showed significantly higher proportions of young people who were LGBTIQIA+, transgender, gender diverse or non-binary (TGDNB), neurodivergent, not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET), and international students in the clinical cohort compared with the Australian population. Almost one-fifth of the cohort reported a history of trauma. Discussion: The study provides insight into characteristics observed among a cohort of suicidal young people. Findings highlight that young people from several marginalised groups were more frequently observed in this clinical cohort. The findings have implications for youth mental health services, supporting earlier identification of potential factors associated with suicidality so that prevention strategies can be implemented in a timely manner. Full article

Sustainable regional competitiveness is widely recognized as a cornerstone for fostering economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability at the local level. Building upon our previous research, in which we extensively examined the ten factors shaping regional competitiveness, this study continues the investigation by focusing on the same nine factors while replacing environmental considerations with civil protection, utilizing updated literature spanning 2020 to 2025. The study’s time frame was from March 2025 to November 2025. A literature review methodology was adopted, emphasizing critical evaluation rather than a systematic review. Recent studies published within the last five years were analyzed, with particular attention to these ten recognized factors: (1) economy, (2) labor market, (3) poverty and social inclusion, (4) healthcare, (5) educational infrastructure, (6) environmental considerations, (7) transportation infrastructure, (8) science and technology, (9) high-tech industries, and (10) innovation. The key findings of the study emphasize the distinct yet interconnected role of each factor in shaping regional competitiveness. Economic development remains foundational, closely linked with education, causes of death, and sustainability, highlighting that a strong economy alone is insufficient. Labor market dynamics, including youth employment and skills development, are crucial for translating potential into growth, while addressing poverty and social exclusion requires coordinated social and economic policies. Public health indicator reflect societal challenges and helps identify areas where targeted interventions can enhance well-being and productivity. Education strengthens human capital, supports innovation and high-tech industries, and promotes social inclusion, creating the foundation for sustainable regional growth. Environmental issues shape the risks that civil protection must manage, while effective environmental protection reduces the need for emergency response. Transportation infrastructure connects economic activity, Research & Development (R&D), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) deployment, and innovation, enhancing regional integration. Science and technology, particularly ICT, drive productivity and competitiveness, while human capital plays a central role in the development of high-tech industries, supporting innovation and economic diversification. Finally, innovation underpins the capacity of regions to adapt and maintain a long-term competitive advantage. Overall, this research demonstrates that by retaining the same nine core factors and replacing environmental considerations with civil protection, it is possible to gain new insights into regional competitiveness. Full article