The immigrant collective is one of the most vulnerable groups and, if we compare it with native workers, a significant income gap is revealed. In this report we analyse this population segment’s social needs before covid-19.

What challenges and opportunities are posed by immigration? The ninth Dossier from the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” analyses why this phenomenon is key for the sustainability of depopulated areas in Spain and its impact on the education system.  

Does being an immigrant influence employability? Judging by the data, yes, and prominently: in 2018, the occupation rate of the foreign population in Spain with higher education was 9.2 points below that of the native population.

In 2018, the equivalent median income of individuals born abroad was some 37.8% lower than that of individuals born in Spain. A difference much higher than the EU average, which stands at 7.3%.

In 2018, of every 2 people of foreign origin in Spain, 1 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Discover if this exceeds the average of the EU countries.

Did you know that 13.3% of Spain’s population is of foreign origin? Applications for asylum originating from extra-Community countries have multiplied by 12 in the last ten years in Spain.

Only 27.7% of the foreign population gains access to higher education in Spain, against 44% of the native population.

The percentage of “NEETs” (Not in Education, Employment or Training) is much higher in Spain among women of foreign origin than among men (27.8% versus 21.6%).

Some 30.4% of people of foreign origin live in households in which their housing costs exceed 40% of their disposable income.

The population of immigrant origin has more probabilities of residing in over-occupied dwellings. Thus, in 2018, some 13.2% of people of foreign origin in Spain were living in overcrowded dwellings.