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Date Published: 12/02/2026

Over-45s face ageism barrier in Spain's job hunt

Red Cross study reveals widespread bias as older workers share their stories

If you're over 45 and job hunting in Spain, you might hear comments like "We need more active people" or "You're not up to date with tech." A new Red Cross report, "Ageism and Me," shines a light on this quiet issue, finding that 58% of Spaniards over 45 have faced age discrimination when seeking work. That's compared to 44% overall, and it hits hard as over half the population is now in that age group, with numbers set to climb by 2050.

The study drew from nearly 900 people in Red Cross employment programmes. It shows how birth dates often block talent more than gender or race biases. Carmen Díaz-Pache, a Red Cross employment technician, put it well. "The labour market severely penalises experience, consolidating a bias that marginalises senior talent," she said. Older applicants often need to send twice as many CVs just to get noticed, and many hear they're "not the right fit" or too set in their ways.

It's not just frustrating – it also takes a toll. The report notes 22% of those affected start believing the stereotypes, ruling themselves out of jobs and skipping training. "You turn 50 and suddenly you become invisible," one participant shared. Even more eye-opening, 65% didn't know the term "ageism" before joining Red Cross workshops, showing how sneaky it can be. Díaz-Pache added, "Age discrimination is so ingrained in corporate and social culture that even the victims themselves are unable to identify it."

Pepa Vivancos, 62, from Cartagena, knows this firsthand. "As soon as they see my age on my CV, they don't call me," she said. After years of informal jobs caring for the elderly and cleaning, often without contracts, to support her ill husband, she hit a wall post-55. Red Cross workshops on job skills, interviews and beating ageism helped. Thankfully, nine months ago, she landed a cleaning role at Murcia Airport through their programme. "Now I feel valued; the work is hard, but I go with a smile," Pepa shared.

Myths linger too - older workers seen as less productive or slow to learn, despite evidence showing they're reliable and loyal. The report calls sidelining them "economic suicide" for Spain, urging awareness campaigns and inclusive policies to tap this valuable experience.

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