Social inclusion and social development

High participation rates among young people in education and low income inequality make an important contribution to ensuring equal opportunities for participation in society and the labour market. However, participation in lifelong learning among adults and participation of unemployed people in active labour market programmes remain low. Despite the redistributive effect of social transfers, a considerable share of households and vulnerable groups remain at risk of poverty, social exclusion and housing deprivation. Population ageing has for many years contributed to the long-term sustainability challenges facing the pension system and to the insufficient development of home care services. Long waiting times and shortages of healthcare professionals remain among the most pressing challenges.