Studies on Growth with Equity

Crisis responses, competitiveness and jobs

This publication is the outcome of a joint project of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion of the European Commission and the Research Department of the ILO.

The purpose of the report is to assess trends in competitiveness in the EU and consider policy options to address imbalances caused by a lack of competitiveness. The report examines the underlying causes of the crisis in Europe, policy responses and the role of competitiveness as both a cause and a cure. The report takes a broad perspective of competitiveness that includes both price- and non-price components such as financial, labour and product market developments and determines the extent to which these are essential to long term sustainable growth.