Politics · Spain · 2 hrs ago
Young Spaniards say government measures have not eased key problems
Young people in Spain say they are still struggling with housing, work and other problems despite government measures aimed at them.
The measures include a €400 cultural voucher for people turning 18 and discounted summer travel.
The cultural voucher cost a provisional €247.9 million from 2022 to 2024, while €550 million was budgeted for travel discounts from 2023 to 2026.
Housing remains a major concern, and young people have led large protests over the worsening housing crisis.
In August, unemployment among people under 24 was 22.7%, compared with 15.4% across the European Union.
The share of Spaniards aged 16 to 29 living independently fell from 17% at the end of 2023 to 14.5% now.
Spain is due to hold an election on November 29, and the story says young people’s trust in the government has been weakened.
Young Spaniards say government measures have not solved problems including housing, employment and mental health.
The youth unemployment rate was 22.7% in August, down from 27.9% three years earlier but above the European Union average of 15.4%.
The share of Spaniards aged 16 to 29 who lived independently fell from 17% at the end of 2023 to 14.5%.
The government introduced measures including cultural spending and travel discounts, but the housing crisis has worsened.
- Who
- Young people in Spain, including young workers, students and activists.
- What
- They say government measures have not eased key problems such as housing, employment and mental health.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026, and compares current conditions with 2023.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- The article says several promised measures have not been implemented or have not produced the expected results, while problems persist.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pedro Sánchez's investiture debate included 29 references to young people.
The Youth Cultural Bonus cost 247.9 million euros, according to provisional data.
17% of Spaniards aged 16 to 29 lived independently.
54.7% of young people said they had experienced mental health problems.
Youth unemployment stood at 22.7%.
- Youth unemployment
- 22.7% in August, compared with 15.4% across the EU
- Independent living
- 14.5% of Spaniards aged 16 to 29, down from 17% at the end of 2023
- Mental health
- 54.7% of young people reported problems in 2025
- Youth Cultural Bonus
- 247.9 million euros spent from 2022 to 2024, provisionally
- Travel discounts
- 550 million euros budgeted for 2023 to 2026
What people are saying
a kind of disillusionment
I work and I can't make ends meet. I can't even rent a place on my own
Sources
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