Household perceptions of the Spanish economy: Growth trends and social frictions
Economic sentiment
Fecha: julio 2025
María Miyar and Desiderio Romero-Jordán
SEFO, Spanish and International Economic & Financial Outlook, V. 14 N.º4 (July 2025)
Despite leading GDP growth in the eurozone since 2021, Spain’s strong economic performance has not translated into equally strong public sentiment. A new national survey reveals that while some households report financial improvement driven by wage gains and job stability, more believe their situation has worsened, citing inflation and taxes as the main causes. The disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and household sentiment is further demonstrated by continued concern over low wages, housing affordability, and inequality. Perceptions vary significantly by age, income, household composition, and political orientation, with younger, right-wing, and lower-income groups expressing greater dissatisfaction. The widespread sense of lost purchasing power, combined with sharp increases in VAT and income tax burdens since 2019, reinforces a sense of financial strain for many.