Demographics and Population
1151 newsIt keeps the Spanish angle clear, linking public decisions, local events and everyday practical impact.
Spain's housing shortfall is set to pass one million homes
Spain completed 92,000 homes in 2025 while 245,000 new households were formed. The resulting gap of 153,000 units has pushed the projected national shortfall above one million homes by 2028.
Basque pensions stay highest in Spain, but growth slows
Basque retirees get the biggest pensions in Spain, topping the national average by more than 300 euros. But growth in Euskadi is now among the slowest, raising new questions as the number of pensioners keeps rising.
Chinese car brands push Spanish auto sales back to pre-pandemic levels
Car sales in Spain have finally bounced back to pre-pandemic numbers, but the real shift is the fast rise of Chinese brands. The market is growing, but the winners are changing.
Child vaccination rates fall in Spain and EU after pandemic disruption
Vaccination rates for children have declined in most EU countries since 2019. Spain now reports lower coverage for five out of seven major vaccines. The trend reverses decades of progress and raises new concerns for public health.
Berlin election tightens as housing crisis and far right gains reshape city politics
Berlin heads into a tense regional election. The housing shortage could put La Izquierda in power for the first time, while AfD’s rapid rise adds new pressure to a divided city.
Spanish Hotels Warn Imserso Program No Longer Covers Costs
Hotels across Spain say Imserso travel rates are too low to break even. With nearly 900,000 subsidized spots and millions applying, key destinations like Benidorm and Mallorca may withdraw. The future of off-season tourism support is uncertain.
Madrid sees record surge in overseas voter registrations
Madrid's overseas electoral census is expanding at twice the national rate, fueled by new Spanish citizens choosing the region under the Democratic Memory Law. This shift is reshaping the landscape of external voter participation and highlights Madrid's unique position in Spain's evolving migration dynamics.
Supreme Court Faces Pressure Over Voting Rights for Spanish Exiles
Justice Minister Félix Bolaños demands urgent action from the Supreme Court on the CERA suspension. The dispute could affect voting rights for 400000 Spaniards abroad. Political accusations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Basque experts call for human-centered robotics as population ages
The Basque forum Zedarriak urges a shift toward robotics that support wellbeing and quality jobs, as the region faces a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking workforce. Their latest report warns that the time to act is running out.
Spain Faces Housing Crunch as New Households Outpace Construction
Spain is seeing a surge in new households that far exceeds the pace of new home construction. This mismatch is fueling sharp increases in both purchase and rental prices, leaving many young adults unable to move out on their own.
A Village Solves Isolation with a Shared Citroën ZX
In Pont-de-Barret, a rural French village, locals sidestepped the collapse of public transport by sharing a single Citroën ZX. Their grassroots system now keeps the community moving and challenges assumptions about rural mobility.
Mixing Medications Raises Memory Loss Risk for Elderly Patients
A new study from Barcelona reveals that taking multiple medications sharply increases the risk of memory gaps and confusion in older adults. Over 60 percent of patients were exposed to drugs that could worsen cognitive decline. The findings call for urgent prescription reviews.
Mexican restaurants reshape Madrid with a surge in authentic cuisine
Madrid now hosts 187 Mexican restaurants as the local Mexican community doubles in a decade. Authentic cuisine and investment are changing the city's gastronomic landscape. The Copil seal sets a new standard for quality and tradition.
Housing Shortage in Spain Fuels Sharp Rise in Prices
Spain faces a growing gap between new households and available homes. Construction lags far behind demand, driving up both purchase and rental prices. Key regions feel the strain as young adults struggle to move out.
Young Entrepreneur Opens Bar in Rural Spain for a Fraction of City Costs
At just 23, Mario Pérez left Valencia behind to open a bar in a village where rent is ten times lower. His move to Valdemoro-Sierra reveals the stark economic divide between city and rural life, and the unexpected advantages of starting over far from urban centers.
Older Spanish workers push to stay employed beyond retirement age
Nearly a third of Spanish workers over 55 want to keep working after reaching retirement age. New data reveals rising demand for flexible employment and exposes persistent age discrimination in the job market.
Torrevieja Hospital to Add Nearly 200 Beds in Five-Year Expansion
The Generalitat will invest over €175 million to expand Torrevieja Hospital. The project adds 30,000 square meters, nearly doubling capacity. More than 650 new staff will be hired in phases over five years.
Young Truck Drivers Are Leaving Spain’s Roads Behind
Spain is running out of truck drivers as the job loses its appeal for young people. Ainoa Blasco, 30, explains how long hours, low pay, and constant pressure are pushing her generation away.
Catalan Schools Open Amid Strikes, Pisa Test Scandal, and Heatwave Disruptions
Catalonia’s school year begins with a teacher strike, Pisa test controversy, and a sharp rise in staff numbers. Heatwave conditions and unfinished ventilation work add to the challenges. Officials promise reforms as pressure mounts.
Supreme Court Weighs Voting Rights for New Spanish Citizens
Spain’s Supreme Court is at the center of a heated dispute over voting rights for people granted citizenship through the Ley de Memoria Democrática. Prosecutors and state lawyers have refused to suspend their inclusion in the electoral roll.
Veterinarian in Marugán retires with no successor for thriving rural clinic
A respected veterinarian in Marugán is closing her clinic after decades of service. Despite a profitable business and loyal clients, no one wants to take over. The closure leaves hundreds of rural pet owners without local care.
Barba Gris finishes Appalachian Trail at ninety-one after seventy-one falls
Dale Sanders, known as ‘Barba Gris’, reached the summit of Mount Katahdin at ninety-one, completing the entire Appalachian Trail after seventy-one falls and a year of effort. His journey pushes the boundaries of age and endurance.
Retirement Health Gains Reverse After Four Years, Study Finds
A major European study finds that retirement lowers frailty risk for older adults at first, but after 4.4 years, the trend reverses. The results challenge assumptions about long-term health benefits after leaving work and point to the need for targeted prevention.
Cabra Offers Up to €200 Monthly to Young Renters Amid Housing Squeeze
Cabra’s town hall is injecting €300,000 into a rental subsidy for young people, covering up to 75% of monthly rent with a cap of €200 per month. The initiative aims to keep and attract young residents, but applicants must act fast once the short application window opens.
17-year-old migrant dies in Ceuta juvenile center during diabetes crisis
A 17-year-old migrant under Ceuta’s care has died from severe diabetes complications. The incident exposes gaps in medical oversight at La Esperanza. Authorities face questions as the number of unaccompanied minors remains unclear.
Migrant Workers Crowded Into Unsafe Housing as Agrarian Mafias Profit in Valladolid
In Nava del Rey, Valladolid, foreign seasonal workers are packed into unsafe, overcrowded housing and endure harsh working conditions. Local mafias and landowners profit, while authorities struggle to intervene. Tensions rise as the town’s population shrinks.
Catalan Identity Fractures as Ethnic Nationalism Gains Ground
The inclusive idea of 'un sol poble' in Catalonia is under threat. New ethnic-based narratives are dividing residents. The shift marks a sharp break from the region’s long-standing approach to identity.
Madrid’s La Latina Loses Historic Newsstand as Antonio Retires Without Successor
Antonio Izquierdo retires after three decades running his kiosk in La Latina, Madrid. With no one to take over, the closure ends a family tradition and highlights the decline of local newsstands.
99-Year-Old Man in Lleida Renews Driving Licence Days Before Turning 100
José Antonio Rivero Mañé, known as Pepe, has renewed his driving licence at 99, just weeks before his 100th birthday. The retired engineer from Corbins, Lleida, continues to drive safely, highlighting Spain’s approach to age and road safety. The DGT confirms there is no maximum age for drivers.
Spanish Government Offers €1,000 Monthly for Rural University Internships
University students in Spain can now earn €1,000 a month through Campus Rural 2026, a government-backed program offering paid internships in rural municipalities. With 850 spots across 45 public universities, the initiative aims to connect academic training with real opportunities in areas facing depopulation.
14 Regions Approve €25 Million Transfer to Ceuta for Migrant Minors
Fourteen autonomous communities have agreed to send €25 million to Ceuta for unaccompanied migrant minors. Several PP-led regions supported the move but called the funding insufficient. The measure follows a surge in arrivals after July 30.
Madrid’s New Public-Private Care Homes Open Door to Private Business
Madrid’s government is launching 40 new public-private care homes on free municipal land. Operators can profit from external users and private services. The plan faces criticism for expanding private business on public assets.
Madrid Faces Record Surgical Waiting Lists as Patients Turn to Private Care
Surgical waiting lists in Madrid have reached historic highs. Delays force patients like Julián to pay for private operations. The region now leads Spain in private health insurance uptake.
Seville Faces Summer With Only Five Public Pools for 700,000 Residents
Seville offers just five public recreational pools for its entire population. Many neighborhoods endure power cuts and extreme heat. The city’s pool shortage stands out compared to Zaragoza’s 22 municipal pools.
Average Social Security Pension in Spain Rises to €1,373 in August
Spain’s average Social Security pension reached €1,373.44 in August, up 4.6% year-on-year. Over 10.5 million pensions were paid, with delayed retirements and gender gap supplements on the rise.
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