According to this study, we frequently interact with an average of 536 acquaintances, but the number is different for each person. What factors influence the size of our relationship circles?

The call has been open to social research projects that, will help to analyse the net effect of a “brain drain” on scientific activity in the country of origin by using quantitative techniques. 

This report analyses four challenges relating to health in Spain: improving the population’s health, promoting healthy lifestyle habits, guaranteeing access to healthcare and the viability of services for dependency.

The call has been open to foster research in the social sciences by supporting original research that can shed light on three specific aspects of social reality in Spain: vocational training, early school leaving and job insecurity.

According to this study, following new additions to the family only 4% of fathers requested reduced working hours, versus 37.7% of mothers. 

Elizabeth Rasekoala, President of African Gong, defends the importance of science as a tool for social transformation and talks to us about the need for acquiring basic scientific literacy in order to be able to think critically.

The call has been open to research projects that, through the conducting of a multi-annual survey over the course of the next four years, contributes a new analysis of a social phenomenon or problem and its evolution over time.

Theatre, opera, classical music, dance… Can digital consumption be an opportunity to attract new audiences to so-called high culture?  

Este informe recoge el análisis sobre la situación social en España y sobre la capacidad de las ayudas y subsidios existentes para garantizar unos ingresos mínimos a todos los ciudadanos, con el objetivo de reducir la pobreza y la desigualdad.

The Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” invited researchers interested in disseminating their research work among a non-academic audience to submit their papers (published articles, preprint or working papers) dealing with the subject of immigration.

Stress, depression, insomnia, tension, feeling of uselessness… This article analyses how the mental health of workers was affected by the economic crisis and long-term unemployment.  

The call has been opened to support research projects in social sciences based on laboratory or field experiments.

Behind rejection of the other, and xenophobia, lie factors such as the country’s macroeconomic evolution, individual economic vulnerability and worker exposure to job competition.

What social challenges does decent housing represent in Spain? This report analyses three challenges in this field: access, conditions and energy needs.

What happens when a scientist conducting high-level research dies prematurely? This article confirms a proliferation of articles by new researchers, with disruptive ideas, in the field of the deceased person.

The welfare system in Spain has never paid great attention to housing. However, it is a key aspect and one that has repercussions in other dimensions such as health and education.

Employment precarity is an obstacle to accessing home ownership for young people. Rental, which is more expensive, or family solidarity are the main alternatives for setting up a home.

In a young household, what takes up the biggest proportion of income: buying or renting?

We analyse the severe deprivation rate in relation to housing matters in Spain. Better or worse than the European Union?

Some 5% of the Spanish population were living in overcrowded homes in 2017. For this indicator, Spain outperforms the European average.

What budget do we assign to housing-related costs? In proportion, which households pay most: rich or poor?

In 2017, some 42.1% of people devoted more than 40% of their disposable income to paying the rent. What does this mean in the European context?

In 2015, the percentage of social rental houses in Spain stood at 2.5%, which is very low. Which EU countries have the largest volume of social housing?

Some 45.6% of the population lives in a flat in a building with more than 10 homes. Is this the same in the rest of Europe?

In 2017, 21.8% of Spanish households were formed by childless couples. Which model is predominant in Europe?

We evaluate the difficulties faced by young people in accessing an own home and what demographic effects this situation has.

Access to housing through renting is increasing in Spain although it is the least secure form of housing tenure on an economic, contractual and legal basis. We analyse which groups are the most affected.

La convocatoria ha estado abierta a  propuestas para desarrollar narrativas infográficas que arrojen luz sobre la realidad social española, mediante la visualización de datos cuantitativos procedentes de investigaciones originales en ciencias sociales.

The seventh Dossier from the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” focuses on the residential insecurity faced by society’s most vulnerable groups, and access to housing for young people.

Poor housing conditions have repercussions on the health and progress of citizens. Sorcha Edwards, secretary general of Housing Europe, talks to us about the relationship between housing and social inclusion.

What is the role of the public sector in access to housing? Can public policies act as a counterweight to the market? These two books examine the question from the European and United States viewpoint.

A country’s development depends on access to employment with adequate conditions and sufficient remuneration to cover the needs of each household. This report analyses the social needs linked to the labour market.

A programme that offers quality housing for the most vulnerable groups: young people, families and elderly people.

Diet, leisure, housing conditions… do children who live in single-parent households suffer greater material deprivation? We analyse what influence income level and gender have.    

The Social Observatory of  ”la Caixa” is launching a new open competitive call to fund excellent, innovative and socially-oriented research projects.

Does the phenomenon of the "working poor" spread? Among other effects of the economic crisis, temporary and part-time jobs have increased and wages have been reduced.

Can the positive effects of parental involvement in education be extended to  schools? We analyse the outcomes of schools according to the types of families of the pupils that attend them.  

Are women worse at competing? This article shows that factors exist, of a cultural nature, that can explain part of the discrimination that women suffer in the jobs market.   

Does emigration always bring with it a dose of ambition? We analyse whether immigrants are more oriented toward success, risk, and money than their non-migrant compatriots.

Not following the treatments prescribed in primary healthcare has an economic impact, due to higher probabilities of absence from work and of the use of emergency healthcare services. We analyse this situation.

Where and by whom do we prefer to be cared for when facing dependency? We analyse the role of the family and of public and private services as care providers.  

An experiment in gender discrimination confirms that, under equal conditions, women have 30% fewer probabilities of being invited to a job interview.

In which European countries is the work-family conflict greatest? What measures for reconciliation are most popular among men and women? We analyse company policies and satisfaction among families.

Will new-generation technologies substitute the most routine jobs? Discover the impact of automation on the world of work. 

Is living longer synonymous with good health? The following study compares, within the European context, life expectancy and happiness among men and women.

What relationship exists between art and economics? We present two books that study the importance of creativity and innovation in the arts, as well as how art contributes to economic development.  

How should the social impact of research be measured? James Wilsdon, professor at the University of Sheffield, talks to  us about the need for “responsible metrics”. 

Planned early delivery for non-medical reasons may have negative consequences for babies’ health. The cancellation of Spain’s “baby cheque” made it possible to investigate the impact of this practice on infant health.     

To what point does art contribute to social integration? Talking about access to culture under conditions of equality with Sunil Iyengar.

Training workers is vital for improving their employability. However, since the economic crisis, investment in training has fallen by 50% in Spain and social agents barely participate in the definition of continuous training actions.  

How do economic problems affect family stability? The books reviewed tackle changes in gender roles at work and the instability generated by socioeconomic inequality.

A psychoeducational programme from a positive parenting perspective to promote, among others, affective bonds and educational relationships within the family setting.

The 6th Dossier of the Social Observatory of “la Caixa” aims to provide elements for reflection on the diversity of family models in Spain and on how these can condition child welfare.

Do we reproduce the behaviour of our parents? Aart Liefbroer talks to us about the intergenerational transmission of demographic behaviour.

Spanish families changed significantly in the last two decades. To what point do socioeconomic factors or family structure influence children’s progress at school?

16.5% of families with children in the home cannot afford to enjoy cultural activities, a percentage that increases to 20.3% in the case of single-parent households. 

Do families with children attend cultural activities more  often? This indicator shows the percentage of cultural participation according to household type. 

Which homes are the happiest? Families with children state that they are happier than those without children to look after.

The highest percentage of households with very low employment intensity stands at 24.6% and corresponds to single-parent households. What happens with other households?

54.5% of single-parent households have no capacity to tackle unforeseen expenses. What type of material shortages do other households have? 

80.1% of households with two adults and no children live in an owned home. In the case of single-parent households, this percentage falls to 65%.

We analyse the difference between the average scores in reading and mathematics for pupils according to their family income levels. Are we above or below neighbouring countries?

Economic reasons, availability of places, distance, timetable flexibility, etc. What factors determine access to nurseries?

32.5% of Spanish single-parent families say that they have significant difficulties in paying for childcare services. Do households with two adults have easier access to these services?

Is there a greater risk of poverty and social exclusion among single-parent households? 48% of such homes suffered  economic difficulties in Spain in 2017.

25.6% of Spanish households were made up of one adult without children in 2017. Which family model is predominant in the rest of Europe? 

How does socioeconomic inequality affect the academic progress of students? Using recent data we analyse the case of Spain and how it compares with the rest of Europe.  

When the number of female breadwinner couples increases, the division of household chores should be more equitable. Is this really true or do women continue to shoulder a greater workload?

How can the cultural consumption of the new generations, particularly that of families with lower educational levels, be increased? Françoise Benhamou provides some key points in this interview.  

Does education really remove social barriers? Robert Erikson analyses the degree of social mobility in advanced democracies.

Any household must face up to three challenges: having a sufficient income, maintaining a financial balance and avoiding situations of poverty. This report analyses the social needs linked to material living conditions.

Could we convert cities into healthy places to live? This article analyses to what point so-called “green infrastructures” can offset carbon emissions and decrease air pollution in the city.

Ageing and the care of elderly people in rural areas pose a challenge and an opportunity for change: with an ever older and increasingly male population, men will have to become more involved in the caregiver role, traditionally associated with women.

José van Dijck reflects on how the major internet platforms are determining how we communicate, buy, and even how we behave.  

A predominance of low-added value employment, lack of investment in innovation and precarious conditions for workers are distancing Spain from the knowledge economy. How can this situation be corrected?

How has the economic crisis affected the productivity of universities? This article explains how public centres have reorganised their resources better than private centres and have shown greater efficiency.

Although the economic crisis has produced a generalised impoverishment of the different population segments in our country, the impact has been much greater among the poorer classes.