Lisbonstrategin

Lisbonstrategin, also known as the Lisbon Strategy, was the European Union's framework for wide-ranging economic reform. Launched by the European Council in Lisbon in March 2000, it aimed to transform the EU into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. In many languages it is referred to as the Lisbon Strategy or Lisbon Agenda; in Swedish contexts it is often called Lisbonstrategin.

The strategy focused on boosting growth and employment through innovation, research, education, and better use of knowledge. It advocated reforms of labor and product markets to raise flexibility and remove obstacles to investment. The strategy set headline targets such as raising the employment rate of the working-age population to around 70 percent and increasing research and development expenditure to about 3 percent of GDP by 2010. It also stressed sustainable development, digital integration, and improved public administration.

Policy instruments centered on the open method of coordination (OMC), whereby member states aligned national reforms through common guidelines and reform programs. The Lisbon framework was complemented by related initiatives on e‑Europe, internal market reform, and innovation policy, with the aim of coordinated progress across the EU.

Evolution and legacy: The strategy underwent a mid-term review in 2005 to sharpen its focus and improve implementation. After the 2008 financial crisis, the Lisbon Strategy was progressively phased out and largely replaced by Europe 2020 in 2010, which set new growth and jobs targets and a refreshed policy mix.

Impact: Assessments indicate mixed results, with progress varying by member state. Critics highlighted implementation gaps, insufficient enforcement, and uneven outcomes despite significant reform efforts.