Lorraine Williamson
Young Spaniards democracy concerns are rising sharply, according to a new national report that paints a troubling picture of a generation searching for stability, security, and a clearer future.
The latest Jóvenes Españoles 2026 study by Fundación SM found that 68% of young people surveyed declared little or no satisfaction with how democracy is working. The report also suggests growing sympathy for “strong hand” politics among part of Spain’s youth, with more young people placing security, family, money and personal stability above wider social ideals.
A warning sign, not a simple political shift
The findings should not be read as a straightforward rejection of democracy by an entire generation. They are more complex than that.
Many young people in Spain have grown up through repeated crises. The financial crash, years of precarious work, the pandemic, rising rents, inflation and political polarisation have shaped their expectations. For some, democracy may feel distant from everyday problems.
The Fundación SM report says support for democracy has fallen compared with previous figures cited from the CIS. It also warns that authoritarian-style solutions are gaining ground among some young people, including the belief that “more mano dura” is sometimes needed.
Housing and money are reshaping priorities
The report points to a wider change in values among people aged 15 to 29. Health, family, earning money, leisure time and personal wellbeing appear high among their priorities.
That shift is not surprising in a country where many young adults still struggle to leave home, rent independently or find stable work. Spain’s youth unemployment rate has improved over recent years, but young workers remain exposed to short contracts, low wages and high housing costs.
For many, the question is not only whether democracy is the best system. It is whether the current system is helping them build an adult life.
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The rise of security over idealism
Fundación SM says its findings point to a move towards more individualistic values, with less emphasis on traditional social causes such as environmental commitment, gender equality or broad collective activism.
That does not mean young people no longer care about society. But it does suggest their focus has shifted. After years of uncertainty, many appear to be prioritising personal security over big promises.
This is where the warning lies. When a generation feels blocked, the appeal of simple answers can grow. Strong leaders, technocratic rule or tougher measures can seem attractive when everyday life feels unstable.
Religion, identity and social attitudes are also changing
The report also identifies changes in religion and identity. According to Fundación SM, the percentage of young people who consider religion important has risen, marking a notable change in a long-running study that has tracked Spanish youth since the 1980s.
However, the report suggests this is not a simple return to traditional religious life. Some young people appear to combine Catholic identity with more flexible spiritual beliefs, including ideas such as karma, reincarnation or healing energies.
The study also highlights changing attitudes around immigration, feminism, gender roles and political identity. These are sensitive issues, and they need careful handling. But taken together, they suggest that young Spain is not moving in one single direction. It is fragmenting into different moods, fears and priorities.
Why this matters for Spain’s future
Young people are often treated as a future political force. In reality, they are already shaping Spain’s present.
Their choices influence housing demand, education, the labour market, consumer habits, family formation, politics and social media debate. If a large share of them feels that democracy is not delivering, that matters far beyond election day.
Spain is not alone in this. Across Europe, younger voters have shown growing frustration with traditional parties and institutions. In some countries, that has fed support for anti-establishment movements. In others, it has produced disengagement, low trust and political volatility.
A generation asking for results
The strongest message from the report may be less ideological than practical.
Young people want stability. They want affordable homes, decent work, health, family life and the chance to plan. If they do not see those things arriving, frustration can deepen.
That is why the Fundación SM findings land at a sensitive moment for Spain. Housing is already at the centre of the national debate. Wages, rents and public services are also driving street demonstrations, including this year’s May Day rallies.
Democracy does not only depend on institutions. It also depends on whether people believe those institutions can improve their lives. For many young Spaniards, that belief appears to be under pressure.