The global economic crisis has hit young Europeans hard. It is a human tragedy, according to Professor Jesper Rangvid of the Cobenhagen Business School in Danish newspaper Politiken: <\/p>\n
\u00bbIt is a huge challenge. It will be years before we see a drop in unemployment. Countries will lose out on knowledge and experience, when a large part of a generation never gets to join the workforce.\u00ab says Jesper Rangvid. <\/p>\n
And the future looks bleak for young people who risk being marked for life by the ordeal of the global crisis.<\/p>\n
\u00bbEven if they get work they will receive lower wages and have a higher risk of becoming unemployed again.\u00ab says Professor Per Kongsh\u00f8j Madsen of Aalborg University to Politiken. <\/p>\n
Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy are the worst hit, but the trend is also felt in countries like Sweden and Denmark.<\/p>\n
In Spain half of all young people under 25 are unemployed and there is no sign of positive change. <\/p>\n
Throughout southern Europe young people show their frustration with demonstrations in the streets.<\/p>\n
Unemployment and the harsh economic austerity measures may lead many young Greeks to leave the country, says the editor of the Greek newspaper Kathimerinis, Nick Malkoutzis:<\/p>\n
\u00bbThere is a risk that many young Greeks will leave, leaving a hole in the middle of the country, just when it needs their energy to change Greek society.\u00ab, Malkoutzis says.<\/p>\n
johanne-wenstrup@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n