The unemployment problem in Europe: Lessons from implementing the OECD jobs strategy

High and persistent unemployment is a key policy issue in many OECD countries, particularly in Europe. Many initiatives have been taken to reduce this problem. In 1994, the OECD launched the OECD Jobs Study, which contained both a thorough analysis of the issue and a comprehensive set of policy recommendations for dealing with it. This paper reviews the experience countries have had with implementing policies to reduce unemployment. As a background to this, it first presents a brief review of unemployment and wage developments as well as an overview of the OECD Jobs Strategy.