Experts Highlight Economic Sustainability and Employment Policies Amid Spanish Budget Debates for 2026

The Spanish economy faces significant challenges as experts and policymakers debate the 2026 budget and broader economic sustainability. Ana María Rodríguez Fernández of CC OO in Asturias praised the regional budget's focus on welfare, allocating 21.5% of GDP, with 19.5% dedicated to welfare services. However, she urged bolder employment policies to tackle persistent long-term unemployment, precarious work, and low wages. Rodríguez emphasized increasing investments in health, education, and housing, calling for a public investment fund targeting innovative industries to fortify productive capacity and generate stable jobs.

In health, she highlighted the need to reduce hospital waiting lists and strengthen mental health services. Education funding improvements and expanded public rental housing investments were welcomed, though Rodríguez criticized current funding levels as insufficient for 2030 targets. She called for a social pact on care and speedy recognition of dependency needs.

Meanwhile, the 8th Spanish Economy Conference at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Ciudad Real brought specialists together to analyze economic challenges including the sustainability of public spending, energy poverty, and agricultural sector pressures. The conference, the first post-COVID-19 event, showcased reflections on economic democracy and honored influential economist Emilio Ontiveros.

These discussions underscore the tension between ambitious social welfare and employment objectives and the structural transformations required for Spain's economic future. Both the Asturias budget critiques and national academic dialogues point to the need for sustained investment and policy innovation to address inequalities and productivity concerns heading into 2026.