The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

5 July 2012

The updated version of the Youth Frustration Monitor assesses the likelihood of socio-political instability across the European continent looking at the combination of youth unemployment, income inequality and public debt of European countries. Please visit our GeoRisQ Monitor to view the results.




Large scale demonstrations in Southern European countries against democratically elected governments have been a recurring phenomenon in recent months. They result directly from widespread resentment against governmental austerity policies, especially amongst the younger cohorts of the populations. These cohorts are often most heavily affected by the current situation, with skyrocketing levels of youth unemployment amidst increasing levels of socio-economic inequality. Their future prospects, moreover, are bleak, as exploding public debt leaves governments ill equipped to kick-start economic growth. The ensuing social and political instability in these countries should therefore not come as a surprise. With this in mind, we assess the likelihood of future socio-political instability for countries across the European continent.

To access the Youth Frustration Monitor, please click on Go To This GeoRisQ Monitor, and select Europe in All Regions in the menu in the top right of your screen.

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