As part of the 50th anniversary events of the European Centre, our three research teams—Employment and Labour Mobility, Health and Care, and Social Protection and Inclusion—have each prepared a discussion paper. The first discussion paper, "Developments and Future Prospects in the World of Work", produced by the Employment and Labour Mobility team, is now available.

In an era defined by rapid changes in how, where, and why we work, understanding the evolving world of employment has never been more essential. This paper delves into the pressing challenges and opportunities that shape today’s labour landscape, exploring critical themes that resonate across both public and academic spheres: From the non-standardisation of employment and work fragmentation to labour market segmentation, inequality and precarity as well as unemployment, inclusion and many more.

Additionally, this paper draws on the European Centre’s recent research to offer insights into policy areas with profound implications: active labour market policies, labour mobility, migration, and industrial relations. By linking these findings to broader trends like digitalisation, climate adaptation, and demographic change, the authors spotlight the interconnected forces that will shape the future of work.