Ibiza's paradox: working flat out doesn't guarantee you a home
In Ibiza you can earn €5,000 a month, yet property costs €400,000. Is it that young people don't want to work, or that work is no longer enough?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Earning €5,000 a month but sleeping in your car? Ibiza's paradox
During Ibiza's high season, some employers offer salaries of €4,000 to €5,000 a month for intensive work. Yet young people aren't queuing up for the ferry. The reason is simple: housing on the island costs over €400,000, and even on a good wage, the cost of living eats it all up. The debate over work ethic and affordable housing is back in the spotlight.
The argument that the younger generation refuses to make sacrifices clashes with the reality of prices. A civil servant earning €3,000 in the Balearic Islands can turn down the job because it simply doesn't pay off. It's hard to call someone lazy for refusing to live in a car while working 14 hours a day.
The other side of the coin: those who argue that extreme effort does pay off. But it means giving up any social life for months. How worthwhile is it to grind through a season in Ibiza only to be unable to afford a mortgage afterwards? High taxes don't help either: half the working day goes on tax.
As long as property prices keep soaring and real wages stagnate, the equation doesn't add up. The dilemma remains open: is it that young people don't want to work, or that working is no longer enough?
During Ibiza's high season, some employers offer salaries of €4,000 to €5,000 a month for intensive work. Yet young people aren't queuing up for the ferry. The reason is simple: housing on the island costs over €400,000, and even on a good wage, the cost of living eats it all up. The debate over work ethic and affordable housing is back in the spotlight.
The argument that the younger generation refuses to make sacrifices clashes with the reality of prices. A civil servant earning €3,000 in the Balearic Islands can turn down the job because it simply doesn't pay off. It's hard to call someone lazy for refusing to live in a car while working 14 hours a day.
The other side of the coin: those who argue that extreme effort does pay off. But it means giving up any social life for months. How worthwhile is it to grind through a season in Ibiza only to be unable to afford a mortgage afterwards? High taxes don't help either: half the working day goes on tax.
As long as property prices keep soaring and real wages stagnate, the equation doesn't add up. The dilemma remains open: is it that young people don't want to work, or that working is no longer enough?
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).
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