Spain social services report reveals regional inequality

The 2025 DEC Index, prepared by the Association of Directors and Managers of Social Services, reveals that 42% of the Spanish population—approximately 20 million people—reside in autonomous communities with social services classified as weak or irrelevant.

José Manuel Ramírez, director of the Association, expressed concern regarding the territorial disparities in the social protection system. He noted that while total spending on social services has increased, the percentage of GDP dedicated to this sector is simultaneously declining. Ramírez advocated for social services to receive 2% of the national GDP and emphasized that a 6.5 billion euro injection for dependency care could help reach this goal, provided regional governments do not divert these funds to other budget items.

The report highlights significant regional differences: the Basque Country is rated at a high level, while Castilla y León and Navarra maintain a medium level. Conversely, Extremadura, Cantabria, and the Region of Murcia received the lowest rating of “irrelevant” for their social services.