Spain releases 2050 societal and housing projections

The National Office of Prospecting and Strategy (ONPE) has released a report titled ‘Vidas Futuras: un día en 2050’ (Future Lives: a day in 2050), projecting significant societal shifts in Spain over the next 25 years. Presented in Barcelona with the presence of political leaders including Pedro Sánchez, Salvador Illa, and Jaume Collboni, the study uses data and megatrends to forecast a changing nation.

Key projections include a more diverse population, an aging demographic, and a shift in living arrangements. The report anticipates smaller, more flexible housing units with increased shared spaces, alongside a rise in single-person households. Socially, the traditional family structure is expected to lose influence to ‘chosen families’ and more non-linear life trajectories.

Technological advancement is expected to deepen the presence of the digital sphere, potentially making offline and real-world experiences more precious. The ONPE emphasizes that the report is not an attempt to predict a single certain future, but rather to prepare public policy for various scenarios, such as managing inequalities caused by digitalization and adapting to new ways of working, eating, and caregiving.