Business · Economy · 1 day ago
Spain’s workforce is ageing faster than the EU average
Spain’s labour force grew by 8% from 2019 to 2026, adding more than two million people who were working or looking for work.
Over the same period, their average age rose from 42.6 to 43.5 years, a bigger increase than the EU average.
Foreign residents accounted for most of the growth, adding 1.2 million people to the labour force, compared with 149,000 Spanish nationals.
Young people’s participation in work or job-seeking has not increased since 2019 and remains below the EU average; about a third of Spaniards aged 15 to 24 take part, compared with more than half in Germany.
The ageing workforce adds pressure as people retire, while Spain’s population aged over 65 already makes up one fifth of the total.
The analysis says the labour force could grow by 892,000 by the end of the decade if participation rates stay as they are, or by 1.1 million if they reach Germany’s levels, leaving the challenge of encouraging more people of working age to participate.
Spain’s workforce has aged faster than the EU average, with the average age of workers and unemployed people rising from 42.6 years in 2019 to 43.5 in 2026.
The workforce grew by 8% over the same period, adding more than two million people.
Foreign residents accounted for 1.2 million of the increase, compared with 149,000 Spanish nationals.
The report says young people’s labour-force participation rate is below the EU average and has not risen since 2019.
If participation rates remain unchanged, Spain’s workforce is projected to grow by about 892,000 people by the end of the decade.
- Who
- Spain’s workforce, including employed and unemployed people.
- What
- Its average age rose faster than the EU average between 2019 and 2026, despite growth in the workforce.
- When
- The comparison covers 2019 to 2026. The report is due to be made public next Monday.
- Where
- Spain, compared with the EU average and other member states.
- Why
- The report points to an ageing population and low participation among young people; it says longer studies or difficulties accessing work due to lack of experience may help explain the latter.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spain’s workforce had an average age of 42.6 years, while foreign residents in the workforce averaged 39.4 years.
Spain’s workforce grew by 8%, and its average age rose to 43.5 years; the average age of foreign residents rose to 40.8 years.
Spain’s statistics institute projects that 3.4 million people will join the population.
The report estimates the workforce could grow by about 892,000 people at current participation rates, or 1.1 million if participation reaches Germany’s levels.
- Workforce average age
- 42.6 years in 2019; 43.5 years in 2026
- Workforce growth
- 8%, or more than 2 million people, from 2019 to 2026
- Foreign residents added
- 1.2 million people to the workforce over seven years
- Spanish nationals added
- 149,000 people to the workforce over seven years
- Young people’s participation
- About one-third in Spain, compared with more than half in Germany
- Projected workforce growth
- 892,000 at current participation rates, or 1.1 million if rates reach Germany’s levels
What people are saying
the prolongation of studies or difficulties accessing employment due to lack of work experience
retirements, early exits and problems with employability and technological adaptation