Spain’s Severe Poverty Rate Rises Despite a Decade of Economic Growth

Spain’s share of people in severe material and social deprivation increased to 8.1% in 2024, pushing the country to fifth place among EU members.

2015

Data from Eurostat showed 7.4% of Spaniards lived in severe deprivation, compared with a 9.7% EU average. Spain ranked 15th among member states.

2023

The indicator peaked in 2023, reaching a level higher than the 2015 figure, while the EU average began to fall.

2024

According to a Funcas report released on Monday, the rate fell to 8.1% nationally but remained above the EU average of 6.3%. Only Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary reported higher percentages.

Current outlook

Despite a decade of economic expansion and job creation, Spain’s relative position worsened, moving from 15th to 5th place in the EU ranking for severe poverty.

Why it matters:

The rise highlights growing social inequality in Spain, a key concern for policymakers and citizens across the Middle East and Egypt, where comparable economic growth has not always translated into reduced poverty.