Overqualification in Times of Crisis

This article analyzes overqualification in the current Spanish labor market, affected by a powerful recession and instability. The objectives of this study are to identify the variables that explain this phenomenon, analyze the relationship between economic cycle and overqualification and find out empirically which collective is most affected by it. Overqualification can be due to an increase in the educational level of young generations. Data in this study derive from a survey about quality of life in the workplace (Ministry of Labor). The methodology used is linear or polynomial regression, as well as correspondence analysis. The main results indicate that: overqualification is greater in recessive phases; overqualification is greater among women than men; age and overqualification evidence an inverse relationship while the relationship between level of study and overqualification is direct. From the correspondence analysis (2010), an association is derived between overqualification and university students/graduates between 16 and 24 years old. Conclusions are that, in the light of empirical analysis, it is possible to interrelate the terms crisis (for the present moment), youth, universities and overqualification. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]