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Social Indicators Research

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17-06-2021 | Original Research

A Multidimensional Approach to Precarious Employment Among Young Workers in EU-28 Countries

Authors: Guillermo Orfao, Alberto del Rey, Miguel Á. Malo

Published in: Social Indicators Research | Issue 3/2021

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Abstract

This article uses a new multidimensional indicator to measure precariousness among young workers across all EU-28 countries. This indicator measures both the incidence and intensity of precariousness. The analysis has involved five dimensions: wages, type of contract, type of working day, disempowerment, and job insecurity. Our database is the European Union Labour Force Survey for the period 2009–2016. The main indication of precariousness is low wages. We find high rates of precariousness for Mediterranean countries (because of low wages and temporary contracts), Denmark (low wages), and the Netherlands (expansion of involuntary part-time jobs). Central European countries have moderate rates, and most Continental and Eastern countries have low rates. We also find that a higher level of education is related to a lower probability of having a precarious job. Finally, we find a greater probability of having a precarious job among women in most countries, and non-statistically significant differences by country of birth.

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Different weights have been tested for all the dimensions to analyse non-uniform weighting schemes. As each dimension’s individual contribution can be analysed, if a higher weight is given to the dimensions with a higher contribution, M₀ will be higher, and vice versa for the dimensions with a lower contribution. However, the results obtained in non-uniform weighting schemes have fewer variations compared to those presented in the analysis. These results are available upon request.

Results at country-group level are shown in the "Appendix".

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Title: A Multidimensional Approach to Precarious Employment Among Young Workers in EU-28 Countries
Authors: Guillermo Orfao
Alberto del Rey
Miguel Á. Malo
Publication date: 17-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Social Indicators Research / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0303-8300
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0921
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02734-3

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