Oxfam report: Housing costs push 3 million workers into poverty in Spain

Oxfam Intermón Spain housing crisis working poverty rental costs economic inequality

An Oxfam Intermón report titled ‘When working is not enough’ reveals that housing costs are driving approximately three million workers in Spain below the poverty threshold. While labor poverty affects 11.48% of the employed population (roughly 2.2 million people), this figure rises to 15.49% once housing expenses such as rent or mortgages are deducted.

The impact is most severe for those renting at market prices, where the poverty rate jumps from 19.35% to 34.08% after paying monthly rent. For those paying mortgages, the poverty rate increases from 7.77% to 10.22%. The report highlights that employment no longer guarantees a dignified standard of living, as rising costs for housing and basic services outpace wage growth.

Additionally, the report notes that labor poverty has seen minimal improvement, decreasing by only 0.16 percentage points between 2022 and 2024. Employment conditions also play a role, with 20.62% of part-time workers facing poverty compared to 10.3% of full-time employees.

Entities

Oxfam Intermón · Spain

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Labor poverty in Spain decreased by only 0.16 percentage points between 2022 and 2024. kaosenlared.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Labor poverty affects 11.48% of employed people in Spain before housing costs. kaosenlared.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] The poverty rate for mortgage payers increases from 7.77% to 10.22% after housing costs. kaosenlared.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] 20.62% of part-time workers are affected by poverty. kaosenlared.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] The poverty rate for market-rate renters rises to 34.08% after paying monthly rent. kaosenlared.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately three million workers in Spain live below the poverty threshold due to housing costs. kaosenlared.net