The worrying rate of unemployment in Spanish psychologists

Psychology is a field of study that since ancient times has interested the human being. University studies in this branch of science are usually in high demand: There are many psychologists who graduate each year, and many more who begin their studies in this path.

However, not everything is simply a love of theoretical knowledge; Although in some cases it is done solely for intellectual interest or for other reasons, the vast majority of university students is being trained with the purpose of being able to carry out a work activity in a field that they are interested Unfortunately, entering the labor market once the studies have been completed does not currently offer as many outlets for psychology professionals, especially after the economic crisis that began in the year 2007.

the worrisome unemployment rate of Spanish psychologists It has raised alarm bells both in students and in people with training in the field who are unemployed or who see their options of changing their workplace limited. It is a situation that affects a large number of professionals who cannot find a place in which to practice their profession in a dignified manner.

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Studies and labor market: disparate situations

If we look at both the academic world and the labor market, it is possible to notice the existence of a great disparity in the relationship between supply and demand. While university training in psychology is in high demand and universities have responded accordingly, In the current labor market the situation is complex and does not offer many alternatives to professionals in the sector.

This leads to the existence of High competitiveness when it comes to obtaining a job, practically requiring the completion of training in the form of various postgraduate and master's degrees in face to be able to stand out from the large number of competitors that can arise for the same position... and sometimes not even then significant progress in the form of employability is achieved. Perhaps the only branch of psychology in which this does not occur is the organizational one, very Oriented towards Human Resources.

Although fortunately within psychology there are many fields in which it is possible to specialize, something which causes some sectors to have a tighter supply-demand relationship, the vast majority of professionals have great difficulty finding work.

The situation of Psychology in Spain: unemployment

The employment situation of psychologists in this country, especially with regard to the field of mental health, is paradoxical. And it is that in Spain there is a great social need for psychological care, a need that is ever greater and more evident. It is estimated that one in four people will have some type of problem that requires psychological attention throughout their lives (especially anxiety and mood disorders).

Spain has approximately 4 psychologists for every 100,000 inhabitants, four times less than the European average (which is calculated at 18 per 100,000). This figure is totally insufficient to account for the population's need for professional care. This leads to long waiting lists in public health to receive psychological treatment, while only 128 new public places have been offered annually, with a large part of professionals.

The result is that many patients find it necessary to resort to private practice if they want to get to practice or receive treatment.

Although in other areas far from the clinic the situation is somewhat better, with a large number of job offers in the field of Human Resources and the business world, this path tends not to be the favorite of students starting their university career in Psychology.

Evolution of unemployment among psychologists

In recent years the situation for psychologists has improved slightly, observing a small increase in hiring during the month of February of this year compared to the month of January or last year. However, this does not imply that the problem is fixed.

According to data from the Public State Employment Service (SEPE), it is currently estimated that around 12,152 registered professionals are unemployed. There is a clear improvement compared to 14,088 last year or 16,800 in 2014, but the situation remains critical.

You also have to take into account the difference between graduates and graduates. The changes in educational matters that university education has undergone with the implementation of the Bologna plan led to the emergence of the Degree in Psychology, university training that allows obtaining the title of psychologist. However, it is possible to observe that there is currently a tendency for graduates to have a higher employment rate than graduates. The unemployment rate among graduates falls and the rate of graduates rises, although this may also be due to the lower time in the seconds market.

Likewise, the fact that the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology and the professional practice of clinical psychology outside of this master's degree or the PIR training system (although professionals who met certain conditions were allowed to obtain an accreditation that allowed them to continue practicing professionally), caused a greater performance and competition to be necessary in order to be able to practice as professionals in the health sector (the most sued).

Another problem that psychology professionals often encounter is that even if they manage to find job offers related to their professional sector, this job tends to be temporary. Thus, job insecurity is a worrying constant in this sector, as in other professions linked to the world of health.

New policy measures are needed

From what has been seen, it seems that the drift of the labor market will not be enough to offer a minimum employment rate that satisfies the demand. Structural changes are necessary to find a solution in the medium term, since the future of an entire generation of psychologists nationwide is at stake.