MADRID – The Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) has provided an indication of the standard of living in Spain based on a number of key areas that assess the quality of life in each autonomous region.
The results are shown in the Multidimensional Quality of Life Report (IMCV) for 2022. The experts’ analysis shows that the quality of life in Spain in 2022 “declined slightly” compared to the previous year. This is due to deteriorations in some indicators, although there are regions where the quality of life is still higher compared to other parts of the country.
Rating indicators
The quality of life for Spanish citizens, both nationally and per autonomous community, is assessed with the following indicators:
- Material living conditions
- Work
- Health
- Education
- Leisure and social relationships
- Physical and personal safety
- Governance and fundamental rights
- Environment and environment
- General life experience
The INE emphasises that the scores for Governance and fundamental rights, General life experience, Leisure and social relationships, Physical and personal safety, and Environment and environment have deteriorated compared to the previous year.
Regions with the highest quality of life
Some autonomous communities have a higher quality of life, according to IMCV data. Navarra, La Rioja and Aragon are, just like last year, at the top of the list. Navarra excels in the areas of Leisure and social relationships, Environment and General life experience. This region has been at the top of the list for 15 years.
Navarra
Navarra stands out for being the second community with the lowest concentration of pollutant particles and for enjoying a huge diversity of natural landscapes, from the Pyrenees in the north to the Bardenas Reales desert in the south. The community has the lowest population percentage at risk of poverty (8.3%) and the second highest median income. It is also the area that covers the highest percentage of citizens with a minimum income, as it reaches 3 out of 4 people who need it.
Basque Country
The Basque Country has improved its score in Material Living Conditions and Education, while Aragon has made progress in Employment, Madrid in Health, Cantabria in Physical and Personal Safety, and the Valencian Community in Governance and Fundamental Rights.
Regions with the lowest scores
On the other hand, the index highlights that the lowest scores in this report are for the Canary Islands, Andalucia, and Galicia.
The INE report is a crucial tool for policymakers and citizens alike, as it allows them to identify the regions where improvements in quality of life are most needed and to assess the effectiveness of policy measures.
While some regions such as Navarra and La Rioja continue to excel, the data shows that there is still much work to be done in other parts of Spain to ensure an equal quality of life for all citizens.
The full list:
- Navarre: 105.35
- La Rioja: 104.45
- Aragon: 103.99
- Cantabria: 103.42
- Basque Country: 103.30
- Asturias: 103
- Balearic Islands: 102.92
- Valencian community: 102.80
- Madrid region: 102.01
- Castilla-La Mancha: 101.92
- Castilla y León: 101.68
- Extremadura: 101.65
- Catalonia: 100.88
- Murcia: 100.11
- Galicia: 99.68
- Andalucia: 99.54
- Canary Islands: 98.66
- Ceuta: 97.08
