Parents' homes no longer feel like a refuge for nearly sixty percent of Spaniards until they reach the age of 38, as suggested by the nation's primary trade union.
In a recent report, the Workers' Commission of Spain (CCOO) shed light on the social situation of young people in the country. The report highlighted several concerning trends, including the increasing age of emancipation and the high number of overqualified young workers.
According to the report, more than a third of young Spanish workers aged 25 to 34 are overqualified for their job. This trend is particularly prevalent among the 20 to 24 age group, where only 36% of individuals hold a full-time permanent contract. The rest rely on part-time or temporary contracts.
The report also revealed that many young people, particularly women, depend on part-time work. 44% of women aged 20 to 24 and 30% of men in the same age group are engaged in part-time employment.
CCOO has typically advocated for measures such as increasing affordable housing availability, improving rental regulations, and promoting policies to support young people’s access to stable employment and income. They often stress the need for government intervention in the housing market to make it easier for young people to access homes, including rent controls, public housing initiatives, and subsidies.
The report urges "ambitious measures" to address the increasing age of emancipation. The general secretary of CCOO, Unai Sordo, called for "courage" in limiting the rise in rental prices during a press conference. Sordo also declared a regional boycott against the purchase of real estate.
The report suggests using European Union funds to create social housing programs. It also praises a national housing law adopted in May 2023, aiming to provide "dignified and adequate housing for people in difficulty". However, the impact of this law has been limited due to the control of most regional governments by the Partido Popular (PP), which opposes the law and seeks to reform it.
Despite these challenges, the report shows some positive trends. The dropout rate from school without pursuing higher education has decreased significantly, from 30% in 2009 to 14% in 2022. Additionally, 95% of young people in Spain are in the labor market, pursuing higher education or have a higher education degree.
However, the average age of emancipation in Spain is still significantly higher than the EU average. While the average age of emancipation in the EU was 26.4 years in 2022, in Spain, it stands at 30.3 years. CCOO highlights that without these ambitious measures, the difficulties of young people in emancipating themselves will continue to grow.
For precise and up-to-date details on CCOO’s current proposals, especially in 2025, consulting CCOO's official communications or recent reports focusing on youth and housing in Spain would be necessary.
- The Workers' Commission of Spain (CCOO) has advocated for education-and-self-development, stressing the need for policies that support young people's access to stable employment and income.
- The report, urging ambitious measures to address the increasing age of emancipation, also suggests using European Union funds to create social housing programs, a strategy that aligns with CCOO's political views.
