Introduction

Economic, political and social systems in post-socialist countries have undergone major transformation as a consequence of transition from a planned to a market economy and of a democratisation process. The complexity of these systems, however, derives not only from the changes themselves, but also from the combination of the transition process and some more general trends in the world economy, such as increasing competitive pressures caused by globalisation and structural changes in the sphere of work. The latter include higher pressure on competitiveness and efficiency, flexibilisation of work arrangements and employment relations, and a shift from industrial to service sector jobs. Recent demographic trends (declining birth rates, ageing of population and changing family structures) have also contributed to the complexity of transformation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

These processes have also influenced young people in these countries in ways similar to their peers in Western Europe. Several youth researchers in the CEE have pointed out that, as the building up of a market economy advances, the youth situation in the region follows West European patterns more and more closely (see, for example, Gábor 2002; Wallace and Kovatcheva, 1998). Not only does this apply to the transition from education to work, but also to those other features that characterise young people's position in society. Data show that, similar to trends in Western Europe, time spent in schools has become longer, secondary and tertiary education is undergoing expansion, and transition from education to work has become more prolonged and difficult. Compared with their West European peers, however, young people in CEE countries often find themselves in a more difficult position, since labour market entrants in particular were adversely affected by the economic changes accompanying the transition process to market economies. This was already visible in the early 1990s when youth unemployment increased. Later on, when the economic situation began to stabilise, flexibilisation of employment relations mainly affected young people, leading to higher insecurity of employment in their case, to individualisation of risks and other consequences. Not only has the young people's position changed in the risky post-socialist period, the general perception of youth as a social group has changed too, which has implications for public (welfare) policy directed towards them.