Improving the outlook for youth employment is a major concern in the OECD countries. In many countries, the declining number of young people in the workforce and the ageing of the population have not led to improvements in the outlook for youth employment, and the economic downturn in 2008 has severely affected the most vulnerable youth. It is thus indispensable that young people have the skills required on the labour market and that countries develop efficient mechanisms to facilitate a sustainable transition from school to work.