Better understanding of cross-border labour markets: read the study

Since 40% of the EU’s territory is represented by internal border regions, generating 30% of the EU’s GDP, following cross-border developments and analysing both good practices and obstacles are necessary.

Cross-border labour markets are a key element of the development of cross-border regions. Allowing for cross-border commuting (meaning one living on one side of the border while working on the other) has a huge potential for the development of these territories. On the one hand, it allows for individuals to access a wider variety of jobs while ensuring employers’ access to a broader pool of skills; on the other hand, it is by daily interaction across the border that individuals – and peoples – build trust in their neighbours and, indeed, show the potential of border regions as labs of EU integration.

But for the regional labour markets to flourish, labour policies (e.g., at local or regional level) must be evidence-based. For that, it is essential that labour market data allows for analysis with a cross-border region perspective – i.e., looking at both sides of the border as a whole instead of two separate parts.     But, currently, data and information on regional labour markets focus only on one side of the border, disregarding the cross-border element. Data are aggregated vertically at a national level perspective, but not horizontally with the neighbouring region. As an illustration, labour market data for Lille (FR) are aggregated at national level with that for Marseille (FR) – 1.000 km away – but never with that for Courtrai (BE) – 30km. And it should be easier to have a job 30km away from home than 1.000km.  

For this reason, on behalf of the European Commission, ÖIR, HÉFTA and Nordregio are working on a study assessing how existing regional labour market data can be used to promote cross-border regional labour market analysis.

Existing data sources and other studies from national or regional level shall be taken into account to provide a clear inventory of experiences based on a common analysis of data.

Providing further analysis of cross-border regional labour markets is essential to allow for labour policies, and administrative practices, to fully consider the potential of cross-border commuting.

Because, a European single market does not stop at the border, nor should the opportunity to find a job in one’s natural territory: their vicinity!

Stay tuned for further information about the ongoing study including 11 case studies! That will be published on the Border Focal Point network.