started · updated
Spain health trends show rising chronic illness and obesity despite lower smoking rates
The 2025 Health Survey of Spain, published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), reveals a complex shift in public health trends. While daily tobacco consumption has reached a historic low of 15.4%, other health indicators have deteriorated.
Approximately 66.2% of the population over 15 years old reports suffering from a chronic illness, an increase of 8.5 percentage points since 2023. The most common issues include high cholesterol (21.1%), hypertension (20%), and chronic lower back pain (17.8%). Obesity also remains a significant concern, affecting 17.2% of adults.
Mental health and lifestyle habits show concerning trends. Depressive symptoms have risen, affecting 16.2% of the population. Additionally, alcohol consumption has increased, with 8.9% of people reporting daily drinking and 35.1% drinking habitually.
Regarding tobacco, while active smoking is down, a study by the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) suggests a potential rise in passive smoking exposure, which increased from 21.3% in 2011 to 23.8% in 2024, potentially due to electronic cigarettes and outdoor terrace exposure.
Entities
Benjamin Toll · Instituto Nacional de Estadística · JAMA Pediatrics · Medical University of South Carolina · Ministerio de Sanidad · Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Obesity was reported by 17.2% of people aged 18 and older in 2025. www.lacronicabadajoz.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 2025 Health Survey of Spain was published by the INE. www.lacronicabadajoz.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Depressive episodes affect 16.2% of the population. www.lacronicabadajoz.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The percentage of people reporting good or very good health fell to 68.3% in 2025. www.lacronicabadajoz.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] 66.2% of people over 15 in Spain report having a chronic disease or health problem. www.lacronicabadajoz.com