Emancipation for young people in Alicante is a daunting mission. People aged 16 to 29 in the province face a reality where most still live with their parents. The combination of stagnant wages and soaring housing costs keeps independence out of reach for many. A Youth Council report highlights that the average emancipation age sits at 30.3 years, and roughly 91.7 percent of earnings would need to go toward rent. The situation has prompted the Generalitat to raise the Youth Rental Bonus by 30 percent, in an effort to ease the burden for new adults entering the housing market.
The latest Emancipation Observatory report from the Youth Council covers the first half of 2023. In the Valencian Community, findings applicable to Alicante show an emancipation rate of 15.5 percent, far below the national average and a touch higher than the year prior. This marks the highest emancipation percentage since 2020, despite the disruptive impact of the pandemic. Employment stability remained a concern, with temporary employment shrinking by 15.3 percentage points from 2022.
Wages, however, remain a challenge. The average net income for young people barely surpasses 10,000 euros, meaning renting alone would consume about 91.7 percent of a monthly salary for a single renter, while sharing an apartment leaves a 37.8 percent burden. In Alicante, the Active Population Survey data show a gradual fall in youth unemployment during this period. The rate dropped from 31.5 percent in the first half of 2023 to a level lower than 22.6 percent today, aided in part by labor reforms that reduced temporary contracts.
The core obstacle is the wage-housing price pairing. For 18- to 25-year-olds in Alicante, the average annual salary is around 7,462 euros, ranking among the lowest nationwide. Salaries for the 26–35 age group rise to about 16,370 euros, but stay in the lower tier of the national distribution. Rent and property prices have risen sharply: last year the provincial average rent climbed 15.9 percent to 9.9 euros per square meter, while Alicante city saw a 16 percent jump to 10.8 euros per square meter. Property prices rose 11 percent at the province level, with the capital city reaching about 1,915 euros per square meter, a 17.5 percent increase.
In short, a complex path to emancipation shaped by strong social concerns. Trade unions call for decisive measures. María Cueva, the youth secretary for CC OO in L’Alacantí-Les Marines, condemns what she describes as exploitation and market speculation in housing. She laments the prevalence of tourist rentals in cities like Alicante, arguing that turning apartments into short-term stays is more lucrative than offering stable housing to local youths, even in a city with many vacant units.
Yolanda Díaz, the UGT regional secretary, echoes this sentiment, pointing to low wages tied to the service sector. She stresses the need for an active youth employment policy and public housing to address the structural issue facing young workers. Salomé Pradas, Spain’s Minister of Social Services, Equality and Housing, notes that the Generalitat continues to work on measures to promote emancipation and fulfill housing commitments. The Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana recently reported a 30% boost to the Youth Rental Bonus, backed by a 6.4 million-euro loan, benefiting thousands of young people in 2022 and several thousand more in 2023.
María Jácome: “Living alone is an impossible dream right now”
María Jácome, a 24-year-old from Alcoy, remains at her mother’s house after a brief year of living independently. She had once accepted a year-long opportunity in Dénia for research on leisure and hospital spaces, but the contract ended and she returned home. She explains that even with a job now, half her income would go to rent, making living alone infeasible. She is currently training to become a Nursing Assistant and has received a residency offer in Germany, which would be another shared accommodation arrangement.
Imanol Morales: “They want 700 euros for tiny flats without an elevator”
Imanol Morales, 30, lives independently but in a home owned by his parents. He notes that the home is paid for, and with a regular salary, living alone would be possible only if other costs didn’t loom. He works on a program contract with the City Council of Alicante, yet his earnings are not enough to secure his own place. He points to speculation in a tourist area driving up rents, with listings asking 700 euros for small flats that lack basic comforts. He also stresses that obtaining a rental is contingent on a robust employment contract and large deposits, making solo independence almost unattainable. He sees no real policy for youth housing and worries about the future.
Sergi Vilaplana: “I lived independently for a while, but I had to move back in with my family”
Sergi Vilaplana, 24, shared an apartment in Alcoy with his girlfriend, hopeful that their income would cover costs. The reality proved tougher; paying for electricity, water, and internet left little room for savings. They eventually moved back in with his parents to build up reserves and pursue steadier jobs that could support a fresh start. The dream remains, but no definite timeline exists as the current economic climate continues to complicate youth emancipation.
Elena Baeza: “Housing should be a guaranteed right”
Elena Baeza, 19, a law student at the University of Alicante, still lives with her parents. She believes the situation will persist due to job insecurity, low wages, and the stable yet unrealized need for affordable housing. She argues housing should be treated as a guaranteed right and calls for more public housing stock and rent controls, plus a network of dormitories to help students from outside Alicante settle in. Her conclusion is clear: everyone deserves a roof over their head—and a chance to put down roots in the region.
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