THE BASIC RELATIONS IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE EU-15 AND EU-13 MEMBER STATES. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT STRUCTURES AFTER 2004

The aim of this study is to arrange the member states of the European Union in order of their labour market potential. The data used for research were provided by the European Statistical Office. Therefore, it was possible to provide reliable comparisons of individual countries. Based on the unemployment rate, the employment rate and other macroeconomic indicators, including GDP, the inflation rate, labour costs and amount of remuneration, a synthetic indicator was developed. Account was also taken of those elements of the economic environment of the labour market which theoretically demonstrate material interrelations with its structures. The results achieved prove the potential of the labour market, as well as its innovative and development abilities. The research is based on the Perkal synthetic index. The research findings were used to classify the member states of the European Union and to identify the countries with the highest and the lowest labour market potential.