Demographics and Population
1160 newsIt keeps the Spanish angle clear, linking public decisions, local events and everyday practical impact.
Depressive conditions reported by 16.2% of Spaniards over 15
Spain’s 2025 health survey found that 16.2% of people aged 15 and over had a depressive condition, 1.6 points more than in 2023. Chronic illness affected 66.2%, while fewer people rated their health positively.
Spain’s income map shows a sharp divide between neighbourhoods
Spain’s new income map uses 2024 personal income tax returns to show gross average household income in more than 36,000 census sections. The figures expose sharp gaps within cities and across regions.
Supreme Court halts voting for new Spanish citizens
Spain’s top court has sidelined over 400,000 new citizens from the ballot just weeks before the election. Nearly 70 percent of Spaniards now back suspending these fast-tracked naturalizations, exposing a fierce fight over who gets a say in the country’s future.
Spain Raises Growth Forecast as Energy Costs Drive Inflation
The Bank of Spain lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 2.6%, yet expects inflation to average 3.9%. Energy costs are squeezing households and public finances as the recovery gathers pace.
Spain sets the stage for high-stakes general elections in November
Spain will elect 350 deputies and 208 senators on November 29. Only those listed in the Electoral Census can participate. Voters must confirm their registration and know their polling station details ahead of the vote.
Rural Spain faces a fight for survival as small businesses vanish
Thousands of small businesses have disappeared from rural Spain, leaving entire regions struggling to maintain jobs and attract new residents. The challenge is not just about population loss but also about the growing burden of bureaucracy.
Spain leaves osteoporosis patients exposed after a first fracture
Spain records about 285,000 fragility fractures each year. Specialists say too many eligible patients still miss treatment and follow-up after the first fracture.
Mario Conde pushes prefabricated homes as answer to Spain’s housing crunch
Spain’s housing market is stretched thin. Mario Conde says prefabricated homes are the only way to quickly boost supply and make homes affordable again.
Three in four Spanish renters fear losing their homes
Nearly 75% of renters in Spain now worry they could be forced out of their homes within two years. The pressure is sharpest for Generation Z and millennials, exposing a deepening housing crisis.
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.
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