The risk of poverty or social exclusion in Catalonia has reached 24.8% in 2025, according to the latest Survey of Living Conditions from the Institute of Statistics of Catalonia. This figure represents an increase of eight tenths of a percentage point compared to the previous year and affects different age groups and social collectives unevenly, with a particular impact on minors, migrant individuals, and single-parent families
Increase in poverty and inequality in Girona and other demarcations
The city of Girona is situated among the municipalities with the greatest socioeconomic inequality between neighborhoods. Social entities like Càritas and the Red Cross warn of the chronic nature of poverty in the demarcation, especially among women and young people. 60% of the people attended by Càritas are women and a significant portion corresponds to single-parent families with difficulties accessing decent and stable housing
A recent report by Càritas indicates that 76% of households accompanied by the organization are in a situation of severe poverty, with a very high proportion of children and adolescents. 36.1% of minors under 16 in Catalonia are at risk of poverty or exclusion, a figure that has increased by 1.3 points in one year.
Impact on childhood and the migrant population
Save the Children demands accelerating the strategy to fight child poverty and that the Generalitat's budgets include a clear perspective of children's rights. Ona Lorda, head of childhood policies for the entity, warns about the generalized increase in poverty rates and the need for administrations to prioritize this fight.
"We observe a generalized increase in poverty rates, both general and child poverty, and this should be a turning point for administrations to prioritize this fight" - Ona Lorda, Save the Children
Among people of foreign nationality over 16 years of age, the risk of poverty stands at 48.6%, almost six points more than the previous year. In the case of people of Spanish nationality, the rate drops four tenths to 17.2%. The risk of poverty in households with dependent children reaches 30.8%.
Material deprivation and difficulties making ends meet
The survey reveals that 8.9% of the population suffers from severe material and social deprivation, three tenths more than in 2024. 35.5% declare they do not have the capacity to face unexpected expenses of 900 euros. Furthermore, 29.4% cannot afford a week's vacation per year and 16.8% cannot maintain the home at an adequate temperature
47.3% of the population declares having difficulty making ends meet, while 9.2% do so with great difficulty. On the other hand, 52.5% claim to make ends meet with ease, a figure that has slightly improved compared to the previous year.
Labor Situation and Proposals from Social Entities
The risk of poverty among unemployed people exceeds half of the group. Among employed people, it affects one-sixth of the total. The population with low work intensity stands at 5.9%, two tenths less than in 2024Educo warns that 7.4% of minors under 16 cannot eat meat, chicken, fish, or their equivalent in vegetable protein every two days. The entity proposes free access to school canteens for all students, a universal child-rearing benefit of 1,440 euros annually, and universal access to education from 0 to 3 years old. In Girona, Educo estimates that around 15,000 students would need a school meal scholarship and do not receive one, the majority in Secondary school
Reactions and demands to the Government
Xavier Trabado, president of the Third Sector Table, warns that the situation is especially serious for children and the migrant population and calls for "very social" budgets from the Government
"The data is not good because, although families have more resources, the increase in the cost of living makes it very difficult to make ends meet" - Xavier Trabado, Taula del Tercer Sector
Social entities insist on the urgency of structural measures to curb the advance of poverty and reduce inequality in neighborhoods and municipalities throughout Catalonia.