"This analysis of the labour market is based on evidence of the structure of employment/ unemployment rates, age, education, type of business and activity rates for the population capable of working. Macedonia has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, with a disproportionate effect on young people who do not have the skills the market requires. The situation has been improving recently, but slowly: the effects of a large grey economy whose social component provides benefit (and in which young people are also found disproportionately); while the mismatch between skills and labour market requirements does not only affect young people. The government has embarked on a programme of radical reform of the education system with a view to increasing the output of students with occupationally-relevant skills required by modern employers, although it is too early yet to talk of results. The authors also outline the several active labour policy initiatives being pursued by the government which have the aim of modernising the labour market. "

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