ABSTRACT
Compared with the USA, many European Union (EU) member states have low employment rates and a persistent employment deficit. This has generated much discussion of whether, where and how jobs can be created for those who are currently involuntarily excluded from paid work. Since employment levels in agriculture and the manufacturing industry have been declining continuously for years, the main opportunities for job creation are seen to lie in the service sector, which for many is now to all intents and purposes the only hope of finding employment. However, the reasons for the growth in service-sector employment and the ways in which such growth might be encouraged are now the subject of much controversy.
