Gen Z: Between school dropout and labor market reluctance – An analysis of the new social paradigm
Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) is redefining the classic structures of society, but recent data indicates worrying phenomena regarding educational paths and professional integration. We are witnessing a shift in mentality that puts pressure on state systems and family budgets.
- School Dropout: A barrier in the way of the future School dropout remains one of the greatest challenges, with Romania recording significant rates among young people who leave the education system early.
- Early leaver rate: Romania continues to have one of the highest early school leaving rates in the EU, standing at 16.6% in 2023, far from the European target of under 9%.
- Rural disparities: The difference between urban and rural environments remains critical, with economic factors being the main cause of dropout.
- Digital Impact: Although they are “digital natives,” many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds lack access to the necessary infrastructure, which accelerates educational exclusion.
The Vicious Circle of Dependency The intersection between school dropout and professional dropout creates a vulnerable social profile: the young person without a solid qualification, who retreats into the comfort offered by parents to avoid a labor market they consider hostile or unaligned with their values.
The lack of studies limits access to well-paid jobs, which makes financial independence seem like an impossible goal to achieve. Thus, extending the period of living with parents until an older age becomes not just a choice, but a direct consequence of the failure of early integration. Without intervention policies that link education to the real needs of the economy, we risk having a generation “on hold,” supported by the increasingly limited resources of parents from the Boomer and Gen X generations.
Article written by Mihai Marcel Ghinea.