Report forecasts little hope for Spain's jobless youth With a 50 percent youth unemployment rate, Spain's young jobless have been dubbed "the screwed generation." A new report by a Spanish government body predicts that the lack of jobs for young people will see poverty and social inequality increase for several years to come. The paper's author warns that further welfare and education cuts could have dire consequences for future generations. "We know there are countries where two or three young generations have been failed by their education system and there are countries too where young people have never been given a chance to get into the workforce," said Fernando Valdes from the Spanish Economy and Social Council (CES). The problem is no longer just an issue for the less educated. Despite many from middle class backgrounds bearing university degrees, professional jobs are hard to come by in Spain. Commentators say if young professionals can find work, salaries have plummeted and are barely enough to live on. Despite having a strong tourism industry, that work is seasonal and more often than not pays minimum wages. More about: Economic crisis, Spain, Spanish economy