Numerical and conceptual euphemisms for Spanish unemployment: numbers, sources and training profiles

Abstract

Spain deals with a high unemployment rate that has not yet recovered the values prior to the economic crisis. However, this does not show the grid of job insecurity that affects society. This study starts from the conciseness of the terminology used to quantify unemployment, to study the reality regarding unemployment and job insecurity through an analysis of official statistics given the lack of information and silence that obscure the data. As a methodological strategy, the secondary analysis of unemployment reports provided by Spanish official sources is used. Results show how different conceptualizations affect official figures. Clues are offered for a closer interpretation of reality grounded on the conciseness of a training profile of the unemployed people. It is concluded that official figures do not accurately represent social vulnerability, ignoring part of the population at risk, and that, although training does help, it is not enough to offer a comprehensive response to unemployment.

Key words
Employment; Unemployment; Training; Exclusion