Why is the number of elderly women who live alone continually increasing? The Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” studies the causes of this phenomenon, which has important implications in the design of welfare policies.

The house we live in is closely related with our quality of life and health, especially during old age. In turn, the quality of our home will depend on the municipality in which it is located. At this intersection, we tackle the question of whether it is better to grow old in a village or a city.

How do elderly people contribute to intergenerational care? In 2016, some 35% of elderly people in our country regularly took charge of caring for their grandchildren.

Over the course of the last decade, the number of elderly people who make use of new technologies has not ceased to grow. By 2017, some 28% were sending messages via electronic means.

To what point do elderly people participate in political activities? Some 6.5% of men and 4.3% of women aged between 65 and 74 years in our country participate actively in politics.

With what frequency do elderly people meet with their families? In our country, the minimum weekly frequency amply exceeds the European average for both sexes.

This indicator measures the level of independence in elderly people; this is based on variables such as occupation, social participation, independent living and the capacity for healthy ageing.

How many people aged over 65 years have difficulties in performing some of the basic activities of everyday life? In our country, 33% of people aged over 65 years have problems washing themselves independently.

By 2030, for every 100 people of working age there will be 40 who are economically dependent or at an inactive age. Will this proportion increase with time?

Are there differences between the percentage of men and women aged over 60 years that are at risk of poverty? In Spain gender differences in the poverty risk rate among people aged over 60 years have practically disappeared.

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.

In all the countries, courses related with culture involved more women than men in 2015. In Spain, 57.8% of students with culture-related qualifications were women.

How has the Earth’s average temperature evolved since 1880? The years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were the hottest on record.

What is the rate for early leaving of education and training by sex? The Europe 2020 Strategy has a target of 15%.

Major differences exist in unemployment rates depending on age and nationality. Almost half of Spaniards aged below 25 years were unemployed in 2016.

Happiness depends on many factors, prominently including participation in cultural and leisure activities. This article from the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" reflects on this theory in relation to the individual and social dimensions of culture.

Culture plays an important role in constructing and consolidating the bases for social cohesion and inclusion and for individual and collective wellbeing. The fourth issue of the Dossier from the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" analyses the factors that determine the cultural participation of citizens and reflects on how to guarantee equal conditions for such participation.

This article from the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" analyses the role played by education and income in people’s participation in cultural activities of different types.

This book, reviewed for the Social Observatory of "la Caixa", aims to measure participation in cultural activities on a European level, as well as promote them to contribute to social inclusion and active citizenship.

In this interview with the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" Jen Snowball shares her reflections on the value created by the art and culture sector and the concept of “culturally sustainable development”.

A performing arts-based programme that integrates social, educational and cultural action.

To what point is it considered important to have new ideas and to be creative? In 2014, some 62% of Spanish citizens considered it was important to have new ideas and be creative.

The importance given by citizens to the capacity for understanding people who are different varies in the different European countries. In 2014, some 74.5% of the Spanish population considered it was important to understand people who are different.

Culture was one of the main reasons for 29% of the Spanish population when it came to planning holiday travel in 2015. Three points above the European average.

How does the presence of immigrants influence the country’s cultural life? In 2014, some 49% of Spanish people considered that the presence of immigrants enriched the country’s cultural life.

Reasons such as timings and distance may complicate the access of citizens to cultural spaces. In 2012, some 32% of the population of Spain considered it was difficult to access cultural services, 4 points higher than the European average.