Spain faces youth well-being and education crisis

Recent reports highlight significant challenges within the Spanish educational and social landscape for youth. A barometer released by UNICEF Spain and the University of Seville reveals a sharp decline in adolescent well-being. Between 2018 and 2022, the proportion of adolescents aged 12 to 16 reporting feelings of loneliness doubled from 7% to 13.6%, while those reporting sadness rose from 11.9% to 19.5%. The data indicates that girls have experienced a more pronounced drop in well-being compared to boys, and lower socioeconomic status correlates with lower reported well-being.

Simultaneously, the educational sector is facing scrutiny following PISA results. The think tank Atenea, led by Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, has proposed a comprehensive reform to address what it describes as a crisis in the Spanish system. The proposal advocates for the repeal of the LOMLOE law, the restoration of academic rigor, and the cessation of what it terms ‘woke indoctrination.’ The think tank argues for a model that prioritizes parental rights in education and emphasizes intellectual discipline and vocational training pathways.