YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN GOTHENBURG (SWEDEN) AMONG NATIVE SWEDES AND IMMIGRANTS:A Qualitative Study of Labour Market Exclusion

Abstract: The current research studies the youth unemployment in Gothenburg (Sweden), among native Swedes and immigrants. The qualitative investigation explores and analyzes two main questions: 1) what are the causes of youth unemployment, from the perspective of young unemployed and social workers; and 2) what role does the immigrant background play in affecting employment opportunities and experiences for immigrant youth. The semi-structured interview has been the main method used, integrated with documentary review and participant observation. The findings reveal that main causes of youth unemployment can be divided into three groups, categorized according to the perspectives of young unemployed, Swedes and immigrants, and respectively social workers. From Swedish youths’ point of view, the main causes of youth unemployment are: lack of work experience and education, state policies and intervention, lack of information, and discrimination, related as a reason for immigrant youths. From the perspective of immigrant youngsters, the main causes are: lack of work experience and education, low level of Swedish language skills, and few or lack of connections and recommendations. And, according to social workers, reasons of youth unemployment include all the described factors, such as: lack of work experience and education, social and psychological problems, state policies and intervention, discrimination and low level of Swedish language skills related to immigrant youths, and few or lack of connections and recommendations.