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

However, not everything is simply love for theoretical knowledge; although in some cases it is done only for intellectual interest or other reasons, the vast majority of university students are being trained with the purpose of being able to carry out a work activity in a field that interests them. Unfortunately, entering the job market after completing their studies does not offer as many outlets for psychology professionals today, especially after the economic crisis that began in 2007.

The worrying unemployment rate of Spanish psychologists has raised alarms among both students and people with training in the field who are unemployed or who see their options for changing their place of work limited. It is a situation that affects a large number of professionals who do not find an opening in which they can exercise their profession in a dignified manner.

Studies and the labour market: disparate situations

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

This leads to the existence of a high level of competitiveness when it comes to obtaining a job , practically requiring training in the form of various postgraduate courses and masters in order to stand out from the large number of competitors that can arise for the same position… and sometimes not even this makes for significant progress in terms of employability.Perhaps the only branch of Psychology in which this does not happen is the organizational one, which is very much oriented towards Human Resources.

Although fortunately within psychology there are multiple fields in which it is possible to specialize, which causes some sectors to have a more adjusted supply-demand relationship, the great majority of professionals have great difficulties in finding work .

The situation of Psychology in Spain: unemployment

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

Spain has approximately 4 psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants , four times less than the European average (estimated at 18 per 100,000). This figure is totally insufficient to account for the population’s need for professional care. This means that there are long waiting lists in the public health system for psychological treatment, while only 128 new public places have been offered annually, with a large number of professionals.

The result is that many patients find themselves having to resort to private practice if they want to go into 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 favourite of students starting their university degree in Psychology.

Evolution of unemployment among psychologists

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

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

The difference between graduates and undergraduates must also be taken into account. 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 the degree of psychologist to be obtained. However, it is possible to observe that currently there is a tendency for graduates to have a higher employment rate than graduates. The unemployment rate among the graduates decreases and that of the graduates increases , although this may also be due to the shorter time on the market of the latter.

Likewise, the fact that the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology was introduced and the professional practice of clinical psychology outside this Master’s Degree or the PIR training system was made illegal (although professionals who met certain conditions were allowed to obtain accreditation that allowed them to continue to practice professionally), led to the need for greater performance and competition in order to be able to practice as professionals in the health sector (the most in demand).

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

Further policy measures are needed

From what we have seen, it seems that the drift of the labour market will not be sufficient to provide a minimum employment rate to meet demand. Structural changes are needed to find a way out in the medium term, since the future of a whole generation of psychologists at national level is at stake .