A sharp shift in public sentiment in Catalonia may influence both regional and national politics in Spain. New data shows a growing number of locals support restricting migrant entry. This trend reflects not only internal changes, but also a reaction to the central government’s decisions to legalize undocumented migrants.
According to the latest study by the Institut de Ciències Polítiques i Socials de Catalunya (ICPS), two-thirds of respondents support introducing immigration limits. This level of agreement has been recorded for the second consecutive year, and the number of supporters continues to rise. The survey included two thousand people, with data collected in the autumn of last year.
Opinion trends
For the first time in a long period, the gap between supporters and opponents of restrictions has become so pronounced. A year ago, 54% supported restrictions, but that figure has now risen to 63.7%. Meanwhile, the share of opponents has dropped to 32.6%. For comparison, in 2023 opponents made up almost 40%. These shifts come amid debates on new migrant legalization measures, which experts believe may have shaped public opinion.
Historically, attitudes toward migration in Catalonia have fluctuated. In 1993, when this question was first asked, 65.5% of respondents supported restrictions. The numbers later declined, but over the past two years, there has been a steady rise in support for tightening entry rules.
Gender and age
Analyzing the results by gender and age, researchers observe interesting trends. Among women, support for restrictions is higher than among men. However, among men of all age groups except the oldest (65+), the level of agreement with restrictions is decreasing. This is particularly evident among men aged 35–49. Among women, the largest drop in support is recorded in the 25–34 age group, while the only growth is seen among women aged 50–64.
These differences may be linked to varying views on the economic and social consequences of migration, as well as personal experience and the level of trust in institutions.
Political preferences
The survey results show that attitudes toward migration are closely tied to political views. An overwhelming majority of Aliança Catalana supporters (100%) favor strict restrictions. They are followed by voters from Vox and Partido Popular, where support for restrictions has also grown significantly compared to last year. For the first time, more than half of PSC and ERC supporters have also called for tighter migration policies.
This shift could serve as a signal to politicians: the electorate expects more decisive measures on migration. At the same time, such dynamics may lead to changes in party rhetoric and platforms during the upcoming elections.
Public sentiment
In addition to migration issues, the study also addressed other important topics. Half of respondents believe that democracy ensures freedom, equality, and pluralism, but does not guarantee economic well-being. The survey also notes a decline in support for feminist ideas: less than half of men under 35 believe that women face more discrimination than men.
These results reflect not only changing attitudes toward migration, but also a broader shift in social values. Catalan society is becoming more conservative, which could influence the region’s future development.
In recent years, Spain has faced a rise in the number of migrants, sparking heated debates at all levels. In 2024, similar surveys recorded growing support for restrictive measures in Madrid and Andalusia. In other regions, such as Valencia and the Basque Country, attitudes toward migration remain more liberal, but even there conservative sentiments are gradually increasing. Similar trends are noted in other European countries, where migration issues are becoming pivotal during elections and shaping the formation of new coalitions in parliaments.
