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Spanish Economy Crumbles: Unemployment Nearly 25%

Tyler Durden's picture


In a week that Spain can't wait to end, the country was just hit with the bad news bears Trifecta, starting with the Real Madrid loss, following with the second S&P downgrade of Spain's credit rating for the year last night (or is that now SBBB+ain?), and concluding with economic data released this morning which showed that the economy is in a free fall that is approaching that of Greece, after retail sales fell for the 21st consecutive month, while Q1 unemployment soared to, drumroll please, one quarter of the working population or 24.44% to be specific, trouncing consensus estimates of 23.8%, and up nearly 2% from the 22.85% as of December 31. Which likely means that the real unemployment is far higher, and confirms not only that the economy is in free fall mode, but that Moody's, which delayed its downgrade of the country's banks to May, will proceed shortly.

The BBG chart below can only invoke laughter.

And the same from Reuters:

From Reuters:





Spain has slipped into its second recession in 3 years putting it back in the center of the Euro Zone debt crisis storm.



There is hope that things will change...

The government expects labor reforms passed in the first quarter that make it cheaper for firms to hire and fire to produce results next year. Many firms have taken advantage of new rules to lay off more staff.




The downgrade put Spain's credit rating at the same level as Italy. S&P now has Spain on a BBB+ rating, which means "adequate payment capacity" and is only a few notches above a junk rating. Fitch and Moody's still rate Spain's sovereign with a "strong payment capacity".


S&P said it was likely the government would have to put more funds into banks and called on euro zone countries to better manage the sovereign debt crisis.


The government is considering whether to create a holding company for the banks' toxic real estate assets as investors have not been convinced by three rounds of clean-ups and consolidations in the financial sector.

But, as a reminder, there was hope that things in the US would also turn better nearly 4 years ago.


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Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:38 | 2379475 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

Pré Euro this was perfectly normal.

Same for Greece, same for Italy, same for the south of France.... and bonds where all in the stratosphere back than to.

It just means we're going back to the old ways.




you get the kids BITCH!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:13 | 2379637 GetZeeGold
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No worries....the green jobs are just about to kick in.


Doesn't Solendra have a division over there?


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:54 | 2379753 SilverTree
SilverTree's picture

fukushima reactor 4

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:34 | 2379476 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

If the ECB or some other fucks are able to lower rates with crispy money all will be fixed again and unemployment can be ignored again for a few months.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:26 | 2379521 Josephine29
Josephine29's picture

The trouble is that those in Spain cannot ignore it any more,take a look at this article discussing her Misery Index.

Misery Index


For those unaware of the Misery Index it is a relatively simple measure which adds the inflation rate (2%) to the unemployment rate (24.44%). So we get 26.44% as the Misery Index for Spain.


For her youth (16-24) the Misery Index is now 54%.

The situation for the youth of Spain must be absolutely dreadful right now..

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:37 | 2379535 LongSoupLine
LongSoupLine's picture

Something else, (not part of the "misery index" but just as important to stability), is both of Spain's soccer teams being eliminated from Champions League play. Don't's a huge deal with youth "distraction", and I'll bet the Spanish govt. is VERY nervous.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:18 | 2379572 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

And those kids who do have a job get paid peanuts...

So strange that people get all radical and right winged...

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 11:15 | 2380247 Muddy1
Muddy1's picture

Misery index for US:  Unemployment 22% +  Inflation rate 10% = 32%

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 09:09 | 2379811 CURWAR2012
CURWAR2012's picture


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:57 | 2379479 NorthPole
NorthPole's picture

This chart is not laughter. It is revolution.

On the other hand, I've been to Barcelona a couple of months ago. On the surface, things do not look so bad. The architecture is great, the city is clean, the people seem happy, the weather is sunny, the cafes are full, the motorways jammed. In short, it looks nothing like the 25% unemployment would suggest. I remember crisis in my country (Poland) during the 80s and most of the 90s - unemployment 15-20%, the country bled white, cafes empty, motorways nonexistant, people gloomy, cities dirty. Strange; it seems to me they saw nuthin' yet until all the cafes are empty.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:03 | 2379499 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

Remember that Barcelona is the humming and working capital of the most affluent region of Spain, Catalunia - the Spanish problems are elsewhere

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:29 | 2379586 greenspanator
greenspanator's picture

You have no clue about what you are saying.

Young catalans have been going to Madrid for years, even before the crisis. Catalan affluency is a myth from the '80s.

If you go to Madrid you will find the same as our Polish co-poster, even if you go to any major city.

Public debt is what keeps the blood pumping through public servants' payments, and from there to the rest of the economy (what is left of it). But maybe Europe's plan is to shield them and leave them pretty much on their own:

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:48 | 2379604 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

Young Spaniards from all regions have been going to Madrid for years (in fact since Philip II), I don't see it as an argument, Madrid grows like mad.

You say Catalan affluency is a myth from the '80s? I would like to know compared to what other Spanish region, if you exclude the Madrid special case - which is part of what you are describing. Please add some details, the "If you go to Madrid..." does not work for me, I spent all in all over 60 days last year in Madrid and Barcelona and several other cities including Sevilla, Toledo, Cadiz and a short trip to Jerez de la frontera for my stocks of Sherry...

Happy to have a long fight about this, but please read first my other comment in this thread. Are you Spanish?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:34 | 2379671 greenspanator
greenspanator's picture

My logic is that there is no such welfare in Catalonia because their youth are forced to emigrate; my logic is in regard to the SP ratings of Catalan bonds; my logic is a possible bailout of Catalan finances by the central government. Only if we forget about past glories that are no more can we build future prosperity.

Yes I am Spanish and I tell you that you can see bars as if nothing happens, almost everywhere. Are you Catalan? Of course, some Spanish regions are very depressed because of the historical lack of industry, but you will find that right in the heart of Catalonia: the industrial belt, long forgotten and dismantled, is plaged by poverty and racial fights. I fear that once the corralito is declared, the traffic jams that our co-poster from Poland reports will disappear because of a higher-priced oil, that is now capped by a German euro.

I don't want Catalans to fall, I don't want any country to fall. But I don't want to hear nonsense because it is not helpful.

I am sorry that I won't be able to have a longer discussion, I'm afraid I have no time :-(


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 10:07 | 2380055 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

then I'll concede the point in favour of something much more important: the "corralito" (interesting link, btw). While it makes sense to be prepared/hedged for a similar eventuality like this - hint, it's shiny - IMHO won't happen. Those who could leave the EUR won't, and those who would can't. My two €-cents, of course.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 10:45 | 2380171 GCT
GCT's picture

Hats off to both of you for having a sane conversation for a change.  Lately it is like coming to a dog fight or all out attack on people in the ZH comment section.

I hope we can all get through this and start producing jobs for our youth.  I am an old fart.  It pains me to see what is going on all over the world.  What boggles my mind honestly is how did the real estate markets all over the world go over the cluiff almost in unison.  It sounds like a huge planned conspiracy worldwide to steal everyone's property and wealth. 

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:43 | 2379602 Arvo Particleboard
Arvo Particleboard's picture

Barcelona lost their bid for the Champions League final as well this week. To Chelsea, no less!

Will the humiliations never cease?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:39 | 2379677 tabasco71
tabasco71's picture

Nope, they won't... because it was actually Torres (ex-Madrid) who after having been with Liverpool for years and done nothing, suddenly woke up and saved the game for Chelsea.

The rivalry between Madrid and Barceona is an enduring one

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:50 | 2379734 Global Hunter
Global Hunter's picture

Torres was a player and product of the Atletico Madrid club

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:45 | 2379481 HD
HD's picture

And US futures are currently green. It would almost be funny if it wasn't so sad...

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:50 | 2379488 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

If somebody gets the door slammed into it's face, the others profit from it.

I don't really understand how it works, but I don't have a PHD so you can't blame me for it.


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:17 | 2379510 HD
HD's picture

You just helped me understand why my nose hurts and my retirement is missing...

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:19 | 2379512 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

US investors are just severely delusional.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:46 | 2379483 LasVegasDave
LasVegasDave's picture

pintxo bendejo!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:47 | 2379484 FinalCollapse
FinalCollapse's picture

ECB is pumping the markets up again. Bullish!!!! Free money by truckloads!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:48 | 2379486 The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture



Stop feeding the nazionalist trolls and acknowledge Cataluña as a part of Spain.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:24 | 2379519 Dull Which
Dull Which's picture

Guardiola joining the 25% too.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:33 | 2379525 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

1. what happened to your avatar? I preferred the old one. 2. WTF are you talking about? Calalunia is in a similar position as Scotland, it could be independent or more autonomous but it does not make much sense in the current environment...

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:38 | 2379529 The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

1. My old avatar was too much to stomach for ZH apparently. I think it has to do with advertisers...


2. It could be but not before a couple of hundred thousand Spaniards die in the civil war it would provoke.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:50 | 2379728 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

I liked the old avatar as well.  Tell our friend above to wake up.  The only regions of the world that can be truly independent moving forward will be regions that either have or control cheap energy sources.  That is what all the fighting has always been about, since the dawn of "civilization".  Americans are dilusional because they constantly wonder what their oil is doing under everyone else's sand.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 10:01 | 2380032 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

this is part of what I mean with "does not make much sense" and goes in my general point that "small is not beautiful" at the moment, neither in monetary nor in political matters.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:57 | 2379491 jomama
jomama's picture

could it be that it might be finally happening?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 05:59 | 2379494 EmileLargo
EmileLargo's picture

Why the hell is the British Pound and the Euro going up against the Dollar? It doesn't make any fucking sense.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:41 | 2379518 GeneMarchbanks
GeneMarchbanks's picture

Take a look at the EURUSD since late February and you'll see that since then the range has been a steady 1.30-35 perhaps co-incidentally around that time the monetary discussion of CBs has turned opaque.

Euro hasn't been this calm in ages.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:51 | 2379737 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

range bound for quite some time, trade it bitchez!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:02 | 2379497 PhattyBuoy
PhattyBuoy's picture

Where is Spain on a map again?

Colts get Luck-Y ...

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:05 | 2379500 debtor of last ...
debtor of last resort's picture

Maybe they all can get jobs at the ESM.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:10 | 2379504 Peter K
Peter K's picture

More Euro.... i mean cowbell ;)

But hey, at least Euroland is fixed :)

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:13 | 2379507 Chain Gun Smoke
Chain Gun Smoke's picture

With 25% unemployment I'm surprised there aren't more riots. A minimum of 1 in 4 can't pay their bills. That's a whole lot of stressed out, pissed off, and desperate people.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:24 | 2379517 NorthPole
NorthPole's picture

That's right, it's strange given their supposedly hot Latin tempers. Moreover, if the government says the unemployment is 24.44%, it's probably more like 30%.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:22 | 2379554 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

yes, there are more stressed out, pissed off people, but it isn't the US, it's Spain. A big chunck of those "official" 25% (for several reasons the Spanish statistician work differently, they tended to overreport the unemployed for some 20 years - a "serious" statistics started only around 1996 or so for EU stats reasons) is that 50% of youth-unemployment, those are youngs that really did not plan to leave their parent's homes anyway until they marry - and even that is some 5-10 years later than the US youth. Families function in the "extended" mode that is unfamiliar to people accustomed to the "full nuclear" Anglosphere model.

Then many of them work in the "black" economy - much more than for example Scotland where the number was estimated to be some 10%-15% not that long ago. Additionally, Spain is one of those countries where the gov spent lots and lots of tax money on cheap, affordable housing for rent, this also takes a lot of pain away not having to worry about losing your roof above your head - if you can't pay, often the gov will.

Bills? Healthcare is different, housing is less a prob as described, food is on the extended family's table, a car is often no necessity, and Spaniards are thrifty people anyway...

And, similarly to some regions in the US, the hard work is there, in agriculture, only that many well-educated Spaniards prefer not to work side by side with the illegal fruit pickers from Marocco. Hell, some could have factory work but they say "I have a degree". The very best are leaving for other EU countries or South America, this is the real long term problem, IMHO.

Pain in Spain, yes, but not comparable by numbers alone.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:21 | 2379579 max2205
max2205's picture

Euro mentality. Don't worry be happy, it is what it is and the Govt will take care of me till things get better.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:20 | 2379514 Frastric
Frastric's picture

A worrisome BBC article about a collapse in retail sales in France, Germany and Italy; PMI went from 49.1 to 41.3. This will definitely cause the USA to recouple with the rest of the world.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:20 | 2379515 navy62802
navy62802's picture

Oh don't worry, it's just a mild recession. GDP will be growing in no time. /endsarcasm

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:34 | 2379526 Debugas
Debugas's picture

i have to agree with NorthPole.

Those spanish jobless people have not seen what the real depression actually is - if you looking for a job then come here to eastern europe and try working full time for 200 euros per month!!!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:40 | 2379531 Ted Baker
Ted Baker's picture


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:54 | 2379609 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

QE will prevent a recession/depression?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:00 | 2379613 Vince Clortho
Vince Clortho's picture

for a good 10-20 minutes.  The important thing is it will boost equity share prices higher into the stratosphere.

We are fortunate to have Bernanke and his many tools.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:16 | 2379641 TheMerryPrankster
TheMerryPrankster's picture

I think I spotted a typo, don't you mean: "We are fortunate to have Bernanke and his many fools." ?

America and the world economy living the dream, everyday. What happens when they wake up and realize they ate their pillow and mattress and can't get back to sleep and have poisioned themselves?

Another day in the dream machine.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:43 | 2379533 trilliontroll
trilliontroll's picture


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:44 | 2379534 overmedicatedun...
overmedicatedundersexed's picture

Spain was moving to a green economy remember that plan? well this is what Obuma and co are doing here: green economy= no one working. idiots in high places really do matter.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:50 | 2379539 Hobbleknee
Hobbleknee's picture

25% unemployment is SOP in Europe.  So what's the real number?


compare silver prices

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:58 | 2379544 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

Re Spain Unemp. near 25%

Almost as bad as in the USA


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 06:58 | 2379545 Belarusian Bull
Belarusian Bull's picture

Wait a minute, wasn't Europe saved?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:11 | 2379560 Zero Govt
Zero Govt's picture

Yes... but, but, but the 3rd lifeboat will be needed real soon as there's too many in/under the water

Better get Draghi and Bernanke full steam ahead in the Titanic to save us (again)

this isn't funny... just try to eat your popcorn without laughing too hard

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:01 | 2379548 Curtis LeMay
Curtis LeMay's picture

Spanish Economy Crumbles: Unemployment Nearly 25%

It's worse than that. Add in the pretend jobs Spain's regions created under the socialist Zapo and one easily gets the figure of one in three.

One in three Spanish are out of work... That's a shitload of people.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:01 | 2379550 orangegeek
orangegeek's picture

Spain...or Europe.  More government spending - that' fixes everything.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:03 | 2379556 Zero Govt
Zero Govt's picture

the more they piss down the toilet the worse it gets

"I'm from the Govt, I'm here to help"

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:02 | 2379551 Zero Govt
Zero Govt's picture

You'd never know it if you were in Spain

there's no sign whatsoever of the unemployed, there's barely a beggar on the streets, they must be having a Siesta!

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 07:35 | 2379594 Hannibal
Hannibal's picture

"Unemployment nearly 25%"

Ditto here in the US (Shadow Stats) 


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:30 | 2379662 TheMerryPrankster
TheMerryPrankster's picture

we are all spaniards.

The pain in Spain falls mainly on the brains.

Tilting at windmills while the corporate government rapes the population through crony capitalism and taxes paying private debts bailing out huge corporations.  We live in our TV world pretending we will all be rich someday, that the trivial is meaningful and that the right possessions guarantee success and happiness.

We are programmed to be dysfunctional and we live in a world of manipulated perceptions. How can we do anything but fail when setup such a path?

Most are already dead, just waiting to fall over. Awaken and plan, or remain embalmed by the powers that be and sit still awaiting those who will rap you in mummy tape and prepare you for the next world that doesn't exist.

The choice always remains in the hand of the man in the mirror, will you face him or look away?

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 08:42 | 2379693 MFL8240
MFL8240's picture


Spanish Economy Crumbles: Unemployment Nearly 25%


Look familiar?   Wait for the election lies to end. 


Fri, 04/27/2012 - 09:11 | 2379818 CURWAR2012
CURWAR2012's picture

Post election the lies will be deeper and vastly larger in breadth. Lok for expansion not contraction. The shit hits the fan in 2013, not this year.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 11:18 | 2380250 Muddy1
Muddy1's picture

It would have been worse if Michelle had not spent $467,585 on her rercent vaca to Spain.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 12:20 | 2380450 americanspirit
americanspirit's picture

Hold it folks - there it is, right in plain view, the last lines of the article. The Spanish government is going to form a holding company and transfer all the banks' toxic assets ( real estate loans) into that holding company. So, guess who will be left holding whatever gets shoved into the holding company? They watched it work with Fannie Mae and freddie Mac and they are gonna do it.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 14:15 | 2380697 reTARD
reTARD's picture

Through a friend, I know an entire family of Spainards in which their adult children are complaining about how to deal with their old mother who is now less capable due to old age and increasing health issues. They (the adult children) are all professionals who not only own their homes but also own vacation homes as well. They debate whether they should pay for the already heavily government-subsidized nursing homes or not. Poor them... is this just high expectations from (some) Europeans or them just living beyond their means? Apparently, not all of Spain is necessarily suffering and some are living higher on the hog than others.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 17:53 | 2381230 Arturo
Arturo's picture

I live in Spain and I can tell you the traffic is the same since before the crisis. Restaurants are full. Santiago Bernabeu is full with 180EUR tickets.

Most youngsters (<35 year old!!) live with their parents.
