Young people's wages are rising more than everyone else's, but they still can't be emancipated by the cost of housing.

Young workers in Spain are seeing their wages rise faster than other age groups, yet they remain trapped in financial dependency due to soaring housing costs, according to a new report by the trade union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO). The findings highlight a growing gap between economic progress and the reality of young people’s ability to achieve independence. The report, titled Cuando avanzar no basta. La juventud española ante el desafío de la emancipación, was released ahead of International Youth Day on August 12. It reveals that while youth employment has increased significantly over recent years, particularly among full-time positions, and wage growth has outpaced that of older workers, many young Spaniards still struggle to break free from family support. This is largely attributed to the high cost of housing, which continues to consume much of the income gains. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), average salaries for individuals aged 25–29 have grown more rapidly than those of other demographics since 2018. This trend is partly driven by increases in the minimum wage (SMI), the creation of stable jobs, and reforms that have improved working conditions for younger workers. However, these gains have not translated into greater financial autonomy, as the price of housing has risen sharply, leaving many young people unable to afford independent living. The CCOO report identifies housing affordability as the main obstacle to emancipation. Both home ownership and rental markets are heavily priced, making it difficult for young people to escape reliance on family finances. In some cases, even after achieving independence, their incomes fall below the poverty threshold. More than two million young people, 27% of those aged 16–29, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN-ES). The Council of Youth of Spain (CJE) has also voiced concerns, highlighting the need for affordable housing policies. Ahead of the upcoming total solar eclipse, which will be visible in parts of Spain, the organization has called for measures that ensure access to affordable housing, especially for those without family wealth. Andrea González Henry, president of the CJE, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue directly rather than allowing it to remain in the shadows. The situation is further complicated by restrictive lending practices introduced after the Great Recession. These regulations have limited young people's ability to secure mortgages, forcing them to rely on the private rental market instead. However, public housing stock is insufficient, and private landlords often charge exorbitant rents, exacerbating financial strain. As a result, many young Spaniards find themselves stuck in a cycle of low wages and high housing costs, delaying their transition to full independence. With no clear path forward, the challenge of achieving economic self-sufficiency remains one of the most pressing issues facing the country’s youth.