The main finding of this study is that few young unemployed people were socially excluded, even in countries such as Italy and Spain with extremely high unemployment. We identified vulnerable and marginalised groups, but not groups that were socially excluded in the sense that they were marginalised according to all dimensions (see Chapter One). However, it must be stressed that our study encompasses only young people who were registered as unemployed. It is possible that those who do not register as unemployed face worse situations than those who do register.

Nonetheless, the study found that young unemployed people, particularly those who have experienced financial deprivation, have a higher risk of marginalisation in some areas. The results of the study showed that Scottish and Finnish unemployed youth face a particularly difficult situation. Even though the unemployment rate is high in southern Europe, young people there are well supported by their parents. Although the unemployment rate is much lower in Scotland, the proportion of long-term unemployed people was nearly as high in Scotland as in Finland and southern Europe – countries with much higher unemployment rates overall. Further, the high unemployment rate among parents of unemployed Scottish youth indicates that unemployment tends to hit Scottish households and marginal groups, suggesting a cumulative disadvantage over time.

Scottish and Finnish unemployed youth are not as well supported by their parents as are their counterparts in Italy and Spain, and at the same time they receive a relatively low level of benefits. The universalistic welfare regime of Finland entitles young people without unemployment benefits to flat-rate benefits such as social assistance or benefits for the uninsured. However, the level of support is about the same as those who receive Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland. In Finland, there are strong social norms about leaving the parental home at a young age to seek independence. In Scotland, more young people live with their parents than in Finland. However, unemployment and deprivation in Scottish households make the situation difficult for Scottish unemployed youth. This situation is also evident if we examine the subjective dimensions of social exclusion.

It was found that Scottish and Finnish unemployed youth reported lower levels of wellbeing than their counterparts in the other countries.