Spaniards currently feel quite pessimistic about their country, believing it to be less safe, less prosperous and more unequal than a decade ago, a new widely reported study has found.
The results of the first Horizons report by H/Advisors and market researcher 40dB paint a rather worrying picture of Spain today, as most citizens believe the country has gone downhill over the past decade.
The report gathered together results from a recent survey of 2,000 people, designed to take a snapshot of Spaniards’ perceptions on a wide range of topics.
Overall, it showed that uncertainty and fear dominate opinions in Spain.
A total of 60.4 percent of respondents believe Spain is less safe, and more than half (54.9 percent) consider that it’s less prosperous today than a decade ago too.
Finances
When it comes to the issues that are worrying Spaniards, cost of living comes out on top with 53.8 of respondents saying this is what concerns them the most. This is followed by access to affordable housing with 42.9 percent, an issue which has been at the forefront of politics and the news in the last few years.
Despite economic growth and improved employment, personal finances still keep Spaniards up at night.
Half of those surveyed admit they cannot save and feel like moving up in the world is becoming increasingly difficult. In fact, over 70 percent believe that maintaining a middle-class standard of living is beyond the reach of most people.
READ ALSO: Spain to be fastest growing EU economy in 2026 but benefits not trickling down
When it comes to younger generations, they tend to associate economic success more with inheritance than with personal effort and working your way up.
Many are also worried about the economic effects of the war in Iran and are already cutting back on spending and avoiding debt, while 75 percent say they are prioritising buying national brands.
Politics
Just over half (58 percent) are afraid of a democratic backsliding similar to what is happening in the United States and are worried about the possible spread of international political ideas.
A total of 65 percent say that Spanish democracy does not represent them and only 34 percent believe that Spain is heading in the right direction, an opinion more common among left-wing voters.
A total of 62 percent of those surveyed also said that a common project for Spain is more difficult for the country today than it was a decade ago.
More than 80 percent believe the world is more unstable today than it was a decade ago too.
Social issues
Many citizens perceive Spanish society as increasingly individualistic and over 40 percent said that they feel lonely.
They also say that the country feels more divided by political polarisation, and that there is a gap between the native and immigrant populations and social classes.
Around 68 percent believe the social climate has become more hostile towards certain minorities, but a third of citizens believe there has been too much progress in accepting immigrants.
Conversely, a third of the Spanish population also believe that feminism, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights have gone too far.
Other concerns
The report warns that artificial intelligence will widen gaps and create inequality because it’s more used by young males with higher education and from a higher social class.
The increased power of technology companies is also a concern for many of the respondents.
Positivity
Thankfully, not everything about the report was depressing and pessimistic.
The energy transition, advances in technological innovation and progress in gender equality were all viewed positively.
Young people generally answered more optimistically than baby boomers.
READ ALSO: Spaniards no better off than 25 years ago despite economic growth
