The CCOO Mallorca union has warned of rising youth unemployment on the island and reported that the number of unemployed people under the age of 35 now exceeds that of those over 55. In a press release, CCOO Mallorca has warned of the latest unemployment figures recorded on the island in November 2025, which, in its opinion, reflect a worrying reality in the local labour market.
Of the 24,971 unemployed people, 7,771 are under 35, which represents ‘a structural challenge’, in the words of the trade union, for the integration of young people into the Balearic economy. These figures reveal that almost one in three unemployed people in Mallorca belong to this vulnerable young group.
For this reason, CCOO Mallorca has pointed out that young people under the age of 35 face ‘significant barriers’ to accessing “stable” and ‘quality’ jobs, which, it has noted, ‘exacerbates the feeling of insecurity’ among this group and, as a result, ‘may push many to delay important life decisions such as moving out, starting a family or investing in their continuing education’.
CCOO Mallorca considers this increase in unemployment among those under 35 to be ‘very serious’ as, in its opinion, it shows that ‘the production model is condemning an entire generation to precariousness, miserable wages and a lack of real opportunities’, while the authorities and companies ‘look the other way’. Young workers are thus facing a future ‘without stability or rights, victims of an economic model that prioritises corporate profit over people,’ it added.
Along the same lines, the union has denounced that ‘while companies have racked up record profits during the season, thousands of young - and not so young - workers are being left unemployed without sufficient protection. Abusive temporary contracts, fraud in hiring and systematic non-compliance with collective agreements continue to be common practices in the face of the passivity of the authorities,’ it continued to complain.
However, the CCOO Mallorca Union has warned that ‘without a profound change in the production model and without the political will to put decent employment at the centre, this situation will continue to repeat itself. It is unacceptable that employment in Mallorca continues to be synonymous with precariousness and expulsion into unemployment for several months of the year as a result of the seasonality and temporary nature of the labour market,’ it stated.
- Current Rate: 25.3% (October 2025).
- EU Comparison: Spain's rate is significantly higher than the EU average of 15.2%.
- Historical Context: The rate reached a record high of approximately 57.9% in 2014 following the 2008 financial crisis. The current rate is a significant improvement from that peak but remains high.
- Gender: As of early 2025, the unemployment rate for young females was slightly higher than for males (27.6% vs. 23.8%).
- Labor Market Segmentation: A high prevalence of temporary contracts for young people makes them the most vulnerable during economic downturns, as companies often dismiss temporary workers first to avoid strict regulations associated with permanent contracts.
- Skills Mismatch: There is often a mismatch between the qualifications and skills young people acquire through education and those required by available jobs.
- Lack of Experience: Many job opportunities for young people require prior experience, creating a difficult "catch-22" situation where they cannot gain experience without a job.
- School Dropout Rates: Spain has historically had a high rate of early school leavers compared to other EU nations, which limits job prospects.
- Economic Impact: The issue contributes to increased income inequality, forcing many young adults to live with their parents into their thirties and potentially leading to social and health problems if they remain unemployed for extended periods.
- Labor Reforms: Recent labor reforms aim to reduce job insecurity by limiting the use of temporary contracts and encouraging permanent hiring.
- Youth Guarantee Plan: Spain has participated in the EU's Youth Guarantee Plan, which aims to ensure that young people under 25 receive a quality job offer, continued education, an apprenticeship, or a traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.
- Education Reform: Measures have been introduced to lower the age for participation in vocational training programs to encourage young people to stay in education longer and acquire job-relevant skills.