Debate has once again flared up in Madrid over the role of migrants in the country’s economy. This time, the trigger was a new report from the Disenso Foundation, led by Santiago Abascal. The document was presented in Congress, where members of the Vox party actively discussed the impact of migration on Spain’s social welfare system.
While the Vox leader gave a television interview, his colleagues in parliament insisted that the influx of low-skilled workers is allegedly worsening the country’s financial situation. The report claims that only foreign nationals earning over 45,000 euros a year provide real benefit to the budget. The rest, according to the authors’ calculations, place an additional burden on social services, healthcare, and education.
The report pays particular attention to the fact that most newcomers hold low-wage jobs. According to Disenso, this not only fails to solve demographic problems, but may also lead to increased spending on pensions and other benefits. The authors argue that the widely held belief in migration as an economic lifesaver is nothing more than an optimistic myth.
However, the Ministry of Inclusion and Migration strongly disagrees with such conclusions. Officials emphasize that international organizations have repeatedly highlighted the positive contribution of foreigners to economic growth and the stability of the pension system. The ministry cites recent data: the number of migrants employed in high-tech and scientific fields continues to grow steadily. According to officials, it is racial prejudice and xenophobia that cost the country far more than supporting newcomers.
As a result, the question of who and how influences Spain’s budget remains open. Both sides present their arguments and statistics, while society closely follows the development of this debate. One thing is clear: the topic of migration and its economic impact will remain highly relevant in Spain for a long time to come.
