Youth Economic Stability and Emancipation in Spain : A Comparative Economic Analysis and a Data-Based Assessment Model

Abstract

This Bachelor’s Thesis explores why many young people in Spain find it difficult to achieve financial stability and become residentially independent, even in periods of economic recovery. The study combines a systematic review of the academic literature with a comparative analysis between Spain and Germany, together with an exploratory Python-based financial assessment tool. The results show that youth vulnerability in Spain is mainly linked to structural and institutional factors, such as labour market segmentation, widespread temporary employment and high housing costs, rather than to economic cycles alone. The comparison with Germany highlights the importance of institutional coordination, especially in school-to-work transitions and vocational education systems, in supporting more stable employment paths. At the individual level, the financial tool illustrates how housing burden, saving capacity and financial behaviour affect young people’s ability to plan and sustain independent living. Overall, the thesis shows that having a job is not always enough: stability, predictability and financial sustainability are key to youth emancipation. By combining structural analysis with an applied and accessible tool, the project aims to contribute, even in a small way, to a better understanding of young people’s financial realities.