Youth employment is recovering, but there is high precariousness due to part-time jobs.

In recent years, youth employment has seen a remarkable recovery, largely driven by labor reforms implemented in 2022. However, despite the encouraging figures, a critical issue persists that affects this demographic: the high prevalence of part-time jobs. According to the report "Young People: Precariousness and Difficulty Accessing Housing," prepared by the Ruge association of the UGT union, young people continue to be the most affected by unemployment and temporary work, highlighting an urgent need to address the precariousness of youth employment. Recent data shows that, in June of this year, employment among those under 30 grew by almost 5% annually, double the overall employment growth rate of 2.5%. This increase has led to a record 3.32 million young people affiliated with Social Security. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for this group has significantly decreased, standing at 19.8% in the second quarter of 2024, a drop of five percentage points compared to 2019. However, these figures, while optimistic in many respects, conceal a reality that cannot be overlooked: the large proportion of part-time contracts. Despite the positive impact of labor reform on reducing temporary work, the situation regarding part-time employment remains alarming. The part-time rate among youth contracts has remained around 26%, meaning that one in four young people works part-time. This figure becomes even more concerning when analyzing age groups: part-time work has increased to 36.4% among those aged 20 to 24 and to 57% in the 16 to 19 age group. This scenario suggests that, rather than improving, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious for the youngest individuals. The reasons behind the high rate of part-time employment are varied but can be grouped into two main categories. On one hand, many young people choose to work part-time to balance their studies, a choice now affecting 42.4% of young people, a significant change from the 19% a decade ago. On the other hand, an equal number of young individuals are forced to accept part-time jobs because they have been unable to find full-time employment. This phenomenon reflects the precarious living conditions of the youth population, which is pushed to accept less than what they truly need. The need to balance work and studies has increased, largely due to the rising cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for young people to dedicate themselves exclusively to their education. This challenge adds to the difficulty many face in becoming independent and developing long-term life projects. More than half of the population aged 25 to 29 reports not having found full-time employment, limiting their autonomy and economic capacity. Salaries play a crucial role in youth emancipation, and the data is discouraging. According to the 2022 Active Population Survey (EPA), the average gross salary of young people stands at €1,558.3 per month, which is 27% lower than the average salary of the rest of the population. Additionally, during the inflationary crisis of 2021 and 2022, young people lost purchasing power, despite the fact that the minimum wage increased by 26%. This situation means that nearly eight out of ten young people under 26 do not manage to reach the annual minimum wage equivalent to full-time work, which is a clear indicator of the labor precariousness they face. Despite improvements in temporary work and the growth of youth employment, these have not translated into significant income increases. According to the UGT report, labor precariousness remains a considerable obstacle to the personal and professional development of young people. The lack of full-time jobs and the reliance on part-time work perpetuate a cycle of economic instability that affects not only their current quality of life but also their future prospects. It is essential that policies are implemented that not only promote job creation but also prioritize the generation of full-time, quality jobs that offer suitable conditions for youth emancipation. The need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the structural causes of part-time work is imperative. The current situation of young people in the labor market is a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved: from government institutions to businesses and society as a whole. The issue of youth employment and the high rate of part-time work not only represents an outstanding challenge in the labor field but also reflects a social reality that continues to push young people toward precariousness. It is urgent that their voices are heard and that appropriate policies are designed to allow them to build a better future, one marked less by uncertainty and more by stability and personal development. In this context, education, training, and incentives to promote full-time employment must be considered fundamental pillars for a sustainable and equitable labor future for youth.