Some 120,000 people in Sweden between the ages of 16 and 25 were neither working nor studying in 2010, according to a new report published Thursday by the National Board of Youth Affairs (Ungdomsstyrelsen).

The figure corresponds to 9.5 percent of Swedes in the 16-25 cohort being out of work or out of school, and represents only a marginal improvement from the 10 percent figure recorded in 2009 when the effects of the global financial crisis were at their worst.

In 2007, however, when Sweden's economy was booming, the figure was 7.3 percent, according to the Board.

“What is striking is that it’s a large group, both during the recession and when it’s booming,” researcher Oscar Svensson told the TT news agency.

In addition, two-thirds of the 120,000 young people not working or studying in 2010 are without income completely, the study found.

The worst affected areas were in southern Sweden and in Norrland, according to the Dagens Nyheter (DN) newspaper.

According to Svensson, the figures stem from the fact that municipalities and Swedish employers are no good at taking advantage of young people’s competency and experience.

“The country’s municipalities are responsible for working with those who have left high school and have not yet turned 20,” he said, adding that the situation was improving, but could still be developed further in many areas.

When asked what the young Swedes were doing while not working or studying, Svensson told TT that some lived with their parents, some were in contact with the Sweden's National Public Employment Agency (Arbetsförmedlingen) and that some have support from the National Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).

TT/The Local/og
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