Lithuanian youth employment is stable, though skills and motivation matter; Bulgarian youth unemployment has complex causes.
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Lithuania is not considered the worst place in Europe for young people to find work, according to an expert who notes that youth unemployment currently stands at 7.3%, which is slightly higher than previous years but stable compared to crisis periods. Successful integration into the job market depends on a job seeker’s brand, skills, experience, and expectations. While many sectors lack employees, companies prefer candidates with motivation and willingness to learn. Salary depends heavily on the field, initial roles, education level, and personal ambition. Early entry into the workforce is advantageous; for instance, students working in related fields gain valuable experience that boosts their starting salary compared to those taking unrelated part-time jobs.
Regarding minors, a youth employment summer program offers compensation to employers who hire young people aged 14-20 during the summer, though the specialist observed more difficulty for minors than for adults to find these roles due to restrictions. Paid internships are becoming more common, with larger or international companies offering salaries between 950 and 1400 euros before taxes. Personal accounts illustrate that securing early employment, even through informal means initially, can lead to stable, well-paid work.
In contrast, in Bulgaria, youth unemployment has risen significantly from March 2023 to March 2024, increasing the share of young unemployed people among all job seekers. Experts suggest this is not solely a labor market failure but relates to personal lifestyle choices and underemployment through unpaid internships. Furthermore, Bulgarian youth are more likely than their Lithuanian or EU counterparts to leave home after age 30, and the shadow economy in Bulgaria is notably higher than in Lithuania.
