What percentage of public spending is allocated to elderly people? The tendency in European countries has been to increase the weight of the resources allocated to this group.

What are the most common living arrangements for elderly people? In Spain, the percentage of those living alone or with their partner is lower in comparison with our peer countries.

From the age of 65 years onwards, men live healthily for a longer time than women do. What is happening in our peer countries?

The fifth Dossier of the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” defines the challenges raised by the growing increase in the elderly population in welfare states. This issue evaluates elderly people’s contribution to society and reflects on the evolution of quality of life for this collective. 

What factors affect children’s health? At the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" we analyse how different vulnerabilities affect the physical and mental health of little ones.

Giovanni Lamura, senior researcher at Italy’s National Institute on Health and Science of Ageing (INRCA), shares with the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” an analysis on the current situation of dependency care systems and the challenges they will have to face in the future.

María Blasco, director of Spain's National Centre for Oncological Research,  shares with the  Social Observatory of "la Caixa" her view on how to extend healthy life years and the possible consequences in society.

Paul Wouters, director of the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at the University of Leiden, talks with the Social Observatory of “la Caixa” about new tendencies in research evaluation.

The Social Observatory of “la Caixa” wonders whether it is possible to combine concern for the environment with economic growth. This study, one of the first in its field, shows a positive link between eco-innovation and the creation of employment, even in periods of recession.

Income level influences habits in cultural participation online. What happens in our peer countries?

Playing an instrument, singing, photography... In 2015, some 14.2% of citizens undertook some amateur artistic activity at least once per week.

How much do countries invest in culture? In the last decade, the governmental authorities in Spain have reduced the funding of cultural services.

How many people work in the cultural sector? In 2015, the cultural sector employed 2.5% of the population of Spain. This figure is lower than the European average.

What is the impact of cultural activity on the economy? In 2014, services companies in Spain working in the cultural activity sector represented 3.73% of the total economy.

How many people participate in complementary training courses linked to culture? In 2015, 5.9% of the Spanish population underwent some training of this type.