2011 has certainly been eventful in Spain. The beginnings of a new year always lead to people to reflect on the year that just gone by….and 2011 leaves a lot of room for reflection.
The economic crisis has hit Spain especially hard. Figures just released, show that unemployment rose by 7.8% in 2011 – with some 4.42 million Spaniards now out of work. The highest unemployment rate in the industrialised World.
2012 does not bode well with many economists predicting more of the same and worse to come. Unemployment rose across all sectors of the economy and affected more women than men. Andalucia, Catalyuna and Valencia were the Provinces worst hit.
2011 was also Spain’s hottest year on record. Final figures have yet to be finalised, but all is pointing to a scorcher with average temperatures 1.5 degrees centigrade above average. The hottest year since records began – in 1961. The Spanish meteorological office has stated that temperatures across Spain have been “Very hot to extremely hot”
Despite all the negatively that is in the daily press, there have been a few welcomed and much less publicised events. As of January 1st – everyone in Spain is entitled to free medical care for example.
