Main employment and social developments

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on human lives and has placed the European and global economies, public health systems and social wellbeing under considerable strain. In 2020, economic activity suffered a significant slump and EU labour market improvements, which had continued until the end of 2019, came to a halt. These adverse developments are observable in the main economic and social indicators, notably for young people, low-skilled workers, people in poor living conditions, older people and persons with disabilities, who have been among those most affected by the crisis.