Severe material deprivation rises sharply in Spanish households under Sánchez

According to Funcas, sustained price hikes and eroding purchasing power over the past eight years have driven a sharp climb in severe material deprivation across Spanish households. The most pronounced surge occurred among those aged 30 to 64, where the incidence rose by 48.1%, and among younger families, with 10.2% of households with members aged 16 to 30 now facing severe lack. Households with minors under 16 also saw a 37.1% increase, bringing the share to 8.5%, above the national average.

Seniors over 65 experienced a modest 17.6% rise, leaving their deprivation rate at 4%, one of the lowest in the EU27. Compared with 2015, Spain moved from mid-ranking to fifth place in the EU for severe deprivation rates, now exceeding the European average. Despite overall economic growth, the gap between macro-economic performance and household wellbeing appears to be widening.