Where entering the job market in Europe (doesn’t) work

In June 2025, one in six people aged between 15 and 24 was unemployed on average across the EU, but the differences are enormous. Estonia tops the statistics at 26.9 % followed by Spain (24 %) and Sweden (23.8 %). At the other end of the scale are Malta at 6.2 %  and Germany at 6.3 % – less than half the EU average of 14.7 %. The dual vocational training system, which provides a structured pathway from school to work, is often cited as the reason for this.

Nevertheless, entering the German labour market is not entirely straightforward. As of 30 September 2025, according to the Federal Employment Agency, around 54,000 apprenticeship places were still unfilled, whilst 40,000 applicants were left without a place. This is a growing ‘mismatch problem’ that the low rate alone hardly reveals.