Spain Moves To Reduce Legal Working Week To 37.5 Hours

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 6, 2025

Spanish ministers have agreed to cut the legal working week to 37.5 hours, maintaining current salaries, despite opposition from employers’ associations. The decree, led by Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, aims to improve productivity and well-being.

The proposal still requires parliamentary approval, where the Socialist-led government faces challenges due to a lack of majority. Díaz’s party, Sumar, made the reduction a condition for supporting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leadership.

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The CEOs’ association CEOE has voiced concerns, claiming the reduction would raise costs and reduce competitiveness. Díaz and the government had been in talks with unions and employers, but discussions broke down in November. CEOE insists the change should be negotiated at the company level, not imposed by law.

Resistance also comes from Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, who suggested delaying the change to allow businesses to adapt. While Spain’s strong economic performance and low unemployment provide a favorable context, the central bank has warned of potential inflationary impacts and reduced job creation.

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Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

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Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

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