Labour Mobility, Mental Health, and New Forms of Work in Spain

Spain is a growing EU economy with dynamic sectors like tourism, renewables and advanced services. But there's significant inequality affecting labour mobility, job insecurity and workers' mental health. This paper analyses these issues using economic, social, territorial and psychosocial factors, linking them to Sustainable Development Goals. High unemployment and the high cost of living in cities force many workers to commute long distances daily. This negatively impacts quality of life and mental health. Analysis shows that involuntary labour mobility mostly affects 30- to 45-year-olds, a life stage marked by family and stability. This mobility can lead to feelings of frustration, resignation and inequality. Telecommuting may help, but is limited and uneven, restricted to digitised sectors and skilled professionals. This study reveals that forced labour mobility reflects structural problems linked to employment concentration, unaffordable housing and inadequate transport. This has a detrimental effect on the mental health and quality of life of millions of workers.