Employability Policy and Labour Market Inclusion in Romania

This study examines the challenges and opportunities of employability in Romania, with a focus on convergence with the European Union (EU) average. We also aimed to identify the factors that influence access to and retention in the labour market, as well as the role of public policies, institutional actors and economic trends in shaping Romania’s labour market performance. The need for this research stems from the growing disparity between Romania and the EU in terms of employment rates, digital skills, vocational training participation, and the integration of young people into the labour market. The research is based on documentary and comparative analysis, using statistical data from official sources – Eurostat and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – and specialised literature. We explore the evolution of selected indicators, namely employment, unemployment, neither in employment, education, nor training (NEET), and gender gaps, within national and European policies and programmes, as well as recent trends in digitalisation, automation, and migration, to assess their implications for the Romanian labour market. Main findings highlight that employability in Romania is determined by both individual factors, such as education, digital skills, and mobility, as well as structural factors, including institutions, policies, and regional disparities. The employment rate has increased and is getting closer to the EU average, however, youth unemployment and employment also remain below the European level. There are still gender disparities, especially in rural regions, and an informal market that influences the quality of employment. Therefore, public policies need to reduce regional and gender disparities, formalise informal work, and support young people and vulnerable groups.