Housing has become the biggest concern for people in Andalucia, overtaking both healthcare and unemployment, according to a new regional survey.
The latest Andalucian Barometer, published by the Centra Foundation, found that 22.2% of respondents consider access to affordable housing to be the region’s most pressing issue.
Healthcare ranked second, cited by 14.3%, while 13.7% said unemployment remains Andalucia’s biggest challenge.
The poll, based on interviews with 3,600 residents carried out after the May 17 regional election, also found growing concern over political dissatisfaction, corruption and the economy.
Some 9% of respondents identified political disillusionment, distrust and corruption as the biggest issue facing the region, while 4.1% pointed to the economy and a further 4.1% highlighted inflation, rising prices and the loss of purchasing power.
When asked which political party is best placed to tackle Andalucia’s problems, 26.7% chose the ruling Partido Popular (PP).
It was followed by Adelante Andalucia on 16.5%, with the PSOE in third place on 12.3%.
Housing also topped the list of concerns at a national level, with 27.6% of respondents identifying it as Spain’s biggest problem.
Political dissatisfaction and corruption came second on 21%, while unemployment ranked third at 10%.
Asked which party could best deal with Spain’s challenges, 21.5% backed the PP, ahead of the PSOE on 13.8% and Vox on 11%.
The survey also paints a relatively positive picture of personal finances.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) described their own financial situation as either good (44.6%) or very good (18.4%), while 18.3% said it was bad (12.7%) or very bad (5.6%).
More than half (55.8%) said their financial situation had remained unchanged over the past year, although 25.5% felt it had worsened.
Looking ahead, 52.8% expect their finances to stay the same over the next 12 months, while 23.1% believe they will improve.
On the wider economy, opinions were evenly divided, with 27.2% expecting Andalucia’s economy to improve in the coming months compared with 26.6% who believe it will deteriorate.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
