Spain continues to face significant difficulties in providing employment opportunities for recent graduates, according to new Eurostat data. Only 64.2% of Spaniards who completed their studies with a baccalaureate, intermediate degree, or professional certificate between one and three years ago are currently employed. This figure places Spain among the worst in Europe, with only Italy showing a lower rate within the EU. In contrast, university graduates or those with higher education have a better employment rate at 83.1%, although this still positions Spain in the lower ranks across Europe.
Eurostat’s analysis shows that Spain's graduate employment rate is far below the EU average of 83.5%, with the country's figure deteriorating slightly compared to the previous year. Spain's overall unemployment rate, which is double the EU average, exacerbates the issue, especially for younger individuals, where unemployment reaches a staggering 25.9% for those under 25 years old.
Despite some improvement since the height of the Great Recession, when graduate employment hit its lowest point, the situation remains concerning. In 2013, only 59.9% of recent graduates in Spain were employed, compared to 74.3% across the EU. The best employment figures for Spanish graduates were recorded in 2007, during the housing boom, when 89% were employed, surpassing the European average at the time.
The Eurostat data also highlights significant disparities based on the level of education. While those with higher education have seen a slight improvement in employment prospects, those with lower qualifications have faced worsening conditions, with their employment rate dropping to 64.2% in 2023. This contrasts sharply with countries like Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, where the employment rates for graduates are significantly higher.
These figures underscore the broader employment challenges in Spain, where the overall unemployment rate remains the highest in the EU at 11.5%. The situation is particularly dire for the youth, with nearly 26% of those under 25 struggling to find work. While there have been improvements since the Great Recession, Spain still faces significant hurdles in closing the employment gap with its European neighbors.
