Spain continues to rank among the top countries in the European Union for youth unemployment. According to the latest data, nearly a quarter of Spaniards under the age of 25 are out of work. In some regions, such as Extremadura, the situation is even more severe — the rate there reaches 39%, which is significantly higher than the national and EU averages.
Despite a slight decrease in youth unemployment over the past year, the problem remains acute. During the year, 33,000 young people found jobs, but this is not enough to bring about a significant improvement. Spain is surpassed in this indicator only by Estonia, where the youth unemployment rate stands at 25%. By comparison, in Germany this figure does not exceed 6.4%, and in the Netherlands — 8.7%.
There is a significant disparity between regions within Spain itself. While in Extremadura nearly 40% of young people are unable to find work, other autonomous communities face less pressure, but still remain far from European standards. In Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, youth unemployment also remains high, yet Spain consistently ranks among the leaders in this regard.
The majority of young Spaniards who manage to find work are forced to accept temporary contracts. More than half of employed people under 25 work on fixed-term contracts, significantly above the EU average. Most job opportunities are concentrated in the service sector, trade, and hospitality, making it difficult to secure stable employment and live independently.
The issue is particularly acute in Extremadura. Over the past ten years, the region has lost more than 16,000 young workers, a decrease of 13%. The active population in this age group has fallen by nearly 40%, significantly higher than the national average in Spain and in sharp contrast with the growing number of young workers in other EU countries.
In Extremadura, a third of all employed people work in the public sector. Many young people spend years preparing for civil service exams after graduating in hopes of landing a stable job. A significant portion of the youth are also employed in agriculture, mainly in seasonal jobs such as harvesting watermelons and melons.
Regional authorities are trying to change the situation through various programs. Extremadura has initiatives to attract young professionals, support entrepreneurs, and develop the digital economy. These include talent attraction programs, employment assistance for graduates, and support for the self-employed.
Experts note that one of the main reasons for the high youth unemployment rate is the gap between the education received and the actual needs of the labor market. Young people lack the practical skills that employers are looking for. Additionally, there is a low interest in entrepreneurship in Spain, which also hinders the creation of new jobs.
Specialists emphasize the need to reform the education system and develop a unified national strategy to adapt workforce training to current economic challenges. Without comprehensive changes, the problem of youth unemployment in Spain will persist in the future.
