Around half (48 per cent) of all European Union (EU) citizens would consider moving to another country to look for work if they were to lose their current position, a new survey has shown.

The Eurobarometer poll found that 2.3 per cent of those in the EU already live in a state other than their native country and 17 per cent see themselves in jobs overseas in the future.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Laszlo Andor, said: "Worker mobility can help reduce unemployment by matching people with jobs available. Europeans recognize this fact, but still face barriers to moving around."

The data comes as the European Commission published a report outlining the rights of people in the EU to settle and work in other nations in the trading bloc, including updates on relevant legislation during the past ten years.

It advises that more needs to be done to encourage mobility of the labor force within the region and to increase participation.

Posted by Alex Donnell