poverty

Spanish economy 27th October 2026

Spain: Population facing severe deprivation increases from 7.4% to 8.1% over a decade, while the European average drops to 6.3%

The Spanish economy is growing, yes, but so is poverty: Being unable to afford a one-week annual holiday away from home, keep the home adequately warm, or replace damaged furniture are indicators of severe material and social deprivation affecting 8.1% of the population in Spain—a figure that has climbed over the last decade from 7.4% in 2015. This was highlighted by Funcas, the Savings Banks Foundation, in its analysis of…

Spanish economy 20th October 2026

770,000 employed people are left in poverty after paying for housing

According to a study published this Tuesday by Oxfam Intermón, after covering monthly housing expenses, 770,000 employed people cross the poverty threshold—their income does not reach 60% of the median, indicating that they have significantly lower economic resources than average for society as a whole—joining the 2.2 million people who were already in this situation even before facing rent or mortgage payments. The report reveals that housing costs raise the…

In Spain 18th August 2026

Spain’s ‘Misery Index’ worse than Portugal’s or Greece’s

Spain’s “Misery Index,” as measured by Bloomberg (13.7), is worse than that of Greece (11.4), Portugal (8.64), the European Union (8.9), and the Eurozone (9.2). The Misery Index is a simple economic indicator designed to measure the economic discomfort or stress felt by the average citizen in a country. It was created in the 1970s by American economist Arthur Okun and is calculated by adding two key variables: Misery Index…

In Spain 2nd July 2026

686,000 Spaniards go entire days without eating, Cáritas claims

According to the Catholic organization, “food insecurity affects 1 in 10 households (12%) in Spain.” In terms of individuals, this means that “food insecurity” impacts nearly 2.8 million people. Out of these, some “686,000 go entire days without eating due to a lack of resources,” explained the Secretary General of Cáritas Española, María González Dyne. Cáritas explains that essential expenses—housing and food—are the areas where prices are rising the most:…

In Spain 4th June 2026

Nearly 10 million living in poverty—on less than €12,200 a year—in Spain, which leads Europe in child poverty

This is according to the 16th Poverty Report 2026, prepared by the European Network Against Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Spanish State (EAPN-ES). The report highlights how high housing prices are dragging down economic improvement, noting that it would take seven years of sustained economic growth to reach the same average poverty levels as the EU. Spain leads economic growth in Europe, driven in part by the arrival of…

In Spain 7th May 2026

33% of people at risk of poverty in Spain are employed

Thirty-three percent of people at risk of poverty in Spain are currently employed. This average percentage rises to 40% in the Balearic Islands, but does not fall below 25% in any Spanish region in 2025. Another third of Spaniards at risk of poverty are retirees or unemployed, while the final third has no known economic activity. These are some of the conclusions from the study “Analysis of Social and Economic…

In Spain 13th February 2026

Spain: poverty and exclusion rates stagnate at 26%, diverging from macroeconomic growth

Aurelio Medel | The 2025 Living Conditions Survey, recently published by the INE (National Statistics Institute), clearly demonstrates how the improvement in macroeconomics is failing to reflect in the lives of families. The Government rightfully boasts that Spain is the fastest-growing economy in the EU (2.9%), with more people employed than ever (22.5 million), an unemployment rate below 10%, and a minimum wage that has risen by 61% (2018–2025). However,…

In Spain 11th November 2025

Spain Has Highest Child Poverty Rate in Europe (29.2%)

Spain has the highest child poverty rate in the European Union, standing at 29.2% compared to the EU average of 19.3%. It is followed by Bulgaria (28.2%) and Romania (26.2%). The countries with the lowest rates are Denmark (10.1%), Slovenia (10.7%), and Finland (11.6%). The study, Child Poverty in Spain: Recent Evolution and Policies, published by Funcas, highlights that Spain’s position is deeply concerning, especially considering that the country ranks…

In Europe 4th September 2025

Spain remains among top five European countries with highest levels of severe material and social deprivation

Severe material and social deprivation continues to affect a significant portion of the Spanish population and keeps Spain in a comparatively unfavorable position within the European Union. The improvement seen between 2023 and 2024, when the percentage of the Spanish population in this situation dropped from 9% (the highest figure since this indicator has been measured) to 8.3%, is modest in both a temporal and comparative perspective, according to Eurostat…

In Spain 5th June 2025

Poverty in Spain: 12.5 million suffer deprivation, 4.1 million very severe, 34% of children at risk of poverty

“Child poverty is a significant structural challenge that undermines upward social convergence and future competitiveness. More than one in three children are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.” Brussels confirms this harsh reality in its report on Spain for the European Semester, published yesterday. Eurostat data indeed shows the rate reaching 34%, and furthermore, no other Eurozone country surpasses the Spanish figure. The second is Greece, with a figure…

1 2 »