One in four people in Europe are at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
A new report examining the impact of austerity claims it has hit younger generations harder than anyone else.
Over 8 million young Europeans lost their jobs in the six years up to 2013, while more than 7 million of them are not in employment, education or training (NEETs).
In Ireland, one in six young adults were found to be classified as 'NEETS' - higher than the EU average of 13%. Italy had the highest rate (22%).
The study found that almost one quarter of 'economically active' young people in the EU are unemployed.
The report also highlights that 62% of unemployed people in Ireland were long-term unemployed in 2013, while Ireland had a child poverty rate of one in every six children.
Dr Seán Healy is the Director of Social Justice Ireland who compiled the study. He explained why the statistics are so grim:
