Analysts: Slovak Students Have Less Work Experience Than European Average

Bratislava, December 7 (TASR) - In Slovakia, 94 percent of students aged 15-29 were not engaged in the labour market last year, meaning that, on average, only 6 percent of Slovak students were working while studying, which is four times lower than the European Union (EU) average, according to Slovenska sporitelna bank analyst Marian Kocis. Last year, 26 percent of Europeans aged 15-29 were employed while studying. Around 71 percent stayed away from the labour market, while 3 percent were actively looking for work. "Young people are most likely to work while studying in the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland and Norway. More than 60 percent of students are either working or actively seeking employment while studying. In our country the proportion is ten times less, which ultimately means less work intensity, less experience and fewer opportunities to face problems that require creative solutions," said Kocis. He added that in the 20 to 24 age group the number of women away from the labour market is higher than men, both among those studying and those not doing so. The difference is more pronounced among those not in education, at 16.8 percent of women and 6.8 percent of men. The analyst pointed out that maternity and parental leave in Slovakia also affect young people on the labour market. This contributes towards a gender pay gap of 18 percent, which is significantly higher than the EU average of 13 percent. Another problem, according to the analyst, is the low level of economic activity, which prevents young people from becoming financially independent and leaving their parents' home at an earlier age. On average, young people in Slovakia leave the parental home at 31. lin/df/mf