Tens of thousands of students were protesting spending cuts to education in Spain yesterday. One student told the AFP: "When I finish university, I see a very dark future."
At 49.9 percent, Spain has the highest youth unemployment in the EU. And latest data from Eurostat suggests that the problem is only getting worse.
Youth unemployment in the EU rose to 22.4 percent, or 5.507 million in January 2012, up from 22.2 percent, or 5.495 million in December 2011.
The problem is so overwhelming that EU leaders are set to discuss measures to increase youth employment at their two day summit. But this should prove to be a gargantuan task.
What follows is a country-by-country look at just how awful Europe's youth unemployment problem is.
Germany
Youth unemployment:
7.8%
Overall unemployment:
5.8%
Youth unemployment is down from 9 percent in December 2010, but December 2011 figure was revised up to 7.9 percent. Germany and France are working on new measures to cut youth unemployment, and revive economic growth in Europe.
Source: Eurostat
Austria
Youth unemployment:
8.9%
Overall unemployment:
4.0%
Austria's youth unemployment is much lower than the EU average of 22.4 percent. Unemployment in the under-25 age group is more than twice the national average, and unemployment is higher among females than males.
Source: Eurostat
Netherlands
Youth unemployment:
9.0%
Overall unemployment:
5.0%
Netherlands' youth unemployment rate is far below the EU average, but is much higher than it was a year ago. It is also a significant uptick from the 8.6 percent rate in December 2011. Meanwhile the male and female unemployment rates are both at 5.0 percent.
Source: Eurostat
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