The unemployment rate of Basque youth aged 16 to 29 in the fourth quarter of 2023 is the lowest in recent years and stands at 10.8%.
These data come from the Population in Relation to Activity Survey (PRA) corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2023. The PRA is compiled quarterly by the Basque Statistics Institute (EUSTAT), which provides the Basque Youth Observatory with data on the population aged 16 to 29.
The unemployment rate indicates the percentage of active people (i.e. in a position to work) who do not have a job, but are actively looking for one and have carried out a job search in the last four weeks. It does not include students who are not looking for a job or disabled persons who are unable to work.
After the increase in unemployment in 2020, as an effect of the Covid19 pandemic, the unemployment rate declined in 2021 and 2022 and has continued its decline in 2023. Moreover, in 2023, the trend recorded in 2019, 2021 and 2022, years in which the unemployment rate increased in the last quarter of the year, has been broken; in 2023, on the contrary, the unemployment rate has fallen in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarters of the year.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate of young people was 3.8 points higher than that of the general population of the Basque Country (10.8% and 7.0%, respectively).
In terms of groups, in this latest measurement, young men have a slightly higher unemployment rate than young women. This same trend can be seen among the general population, although the differences are minimal. And, by historical territories, it can be seen that the highest unemployment rate among young people has been recorded in Alava and the lowest in Gipuzkoa. In the case of the general population, Gipuzkoa has the lowest rate, but there are no differences between Alava and Bizkaia.
These data are directly linked to goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals: 'Decent work and economic growth' and, more specifically, to target 8.5. By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
