Spain Sees Economic Growth Amidst Persisting High Youth Female Unemployment
Despite Spain's economic productivity gains noted by the IMF, youth female unemployment remains critically high, underscoring a structural labor market challenge.
- • IMF chief economist highlights Spain's positive growth driven by productivity, not just labor.
- • Spain's youth female unemployment rate stands at 26.4%, one of the highest in Europe.
- • Other European countries have significantly reduced youth female unemployment, contrasting Spain's stagnation.
- • Economist José Ramón Riera criticizes Spain's ineffective approach, calling for practical employment policies.
- • Actual unemployment for young women may exceed 35% when including inactive workers, indicating a severe structural issue.
Key details
Spain's economy is experiencing positive growth driven not only by labor input but also improved productivity, according to Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking about Spain and broader economic dynamics, Gourinchas highlighted that despite challenges across the eurozone, Spain's economic expansion reflects an increase in efficiency and investment. However, these macroeconomic gains contrast sharply with the country's persistent youth female unemployment issues.
Eurostat data from November 2025 show Spain's youth female unemployment remains alarmingly high at 26.4%, with only a marginal 0.4% reduction over the past year. This rate is among the highest in Europe, far exceeding reported rates in countries such as Germany (6%), the Netherlands, France, and Austria. More concerning is that considering inactive fixed-term workers, the effective rate may surpass 35%, meaning one in three young women under 25 in Spain could be unemployed or inactive.
Other European nations have made significant progress in reducing youth female unemployment. Lithuania lowered its rate from 18.8% to 5.1%, and Greece from 26.4% to 18.3%. Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Estonia have also seen notable declines, underscoring Spain's relative stagnation.
Economist José Ramón Riera sharply criticizes Spain's official discourse, noting the disconnect between proclaimed economic strength and persistent unemployment among young women. He argues that genuine feminism should prioritize enabling young women to find sustainable employment rather than relying on ideological slogans. Riera emphasizes the structural nature of the problem, which has remained largely unaddressed despite macroeconomic stability and growth.
While the IMF acknowledges Spain's positive overall economic growth and the importance of productivity enhancements, these benefits have not yet translated into substantial improvements in youth female employment. Experts call for focused, effective employment policies to tackle this sector's vulnerable labor market segment. As Riera concludes, "the numbers do not understand propaganda, they understand results," highlighting the need for real change beyond political rhetoric.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
