Spain’s ‘lost generation’ may alter political dynamics

Significance

While the country has traditionally struggled to secure good working conditions for young people, the situation has become significantly worse since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Under-30-year-olds are better educated than previous generations, yet have to deal with high levels of unemployment and job insecurity.

Impacts

• Security concerns elsewhere in the Mediterranean will boost tourism in Spain, creating new -- though often low-skilled and seasonal -- jobs.
• Brexit could accelerate retro-migration to Spain, affecting both the high-skilled and low-skilled ends of the labour market.
• Low birth-rates will fuel demographic change, increasing pressure on social security systems.