Coming from the country with the highest unemployment rate within the UE, I feel extremely disappointed with the way developing countries are dealing with the difficulties of the youth. We are underpaid, with no job stability nor future perspective. And yet, we are more skilled than the precedent generations. According to a survey carried out by the INE (the Spanish National Institute of Statistics), in 2019, people from 25 to 29 years old have lost 6,7% of their salary within 9 years. Moreover, given that nowadays we are witnessing a process of population ageing, all OECD countries spend more, per capita, on the elderly than on children and youth.
I do believe that even though the youth is been mistreated in economic and social terms, we still are the keystone of our communities. In fact, young people retain the skills that marches better the digital revolution and the globalization that today´s world is experiencing. Moreover, the youth is more aware of the challenges that are being faced but also, they are more engaged to overcome them. Among their main concerns, we can find environmental issues, education funding and quality along with gender equality. According to a research conducted by the European Union, the African Union and UNICEF, 65% of respondents affirmed being active in a local youth organization.
Finally, I would like to remind all our readers that the youth is more than ready to face all the challenges that the previous generation has given us as inheritance. The perseverance, resilience, and open-mindedness characterizing today´s youth will allow us to become the change-makers the world is asking for.