# Child poverty and housing-driven economic vulnerability in| > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-poverty-rates-in-spain > Updated: 2026-09-21T08:16:25.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 5. Reports from the Fundación de Estudios de Economía Aplicada (FEDEA) indicate that child poverty in Spain is a structural issue, with rates significantly exceeding the European Union average of 19.3%. Data from 2025 shows that approximately 2.07 million children and adolescents—representing 28.3% of those under 18—lived below the monetary poverty threshold. When using the AROPE indicator, the rate rises to approximately 33.8%. Vulnerability is particularly high in single-parent households, where the AROPE rate reaches 50.3%. FEDEA has identified ‘hidden poverty’ affecting nearly two million people due to rising housing costs. While these individuals may not be classified as poor based on disposable income alone, 25.4% of tenants fall below the poverty threshold once market-rate rents are paid. This phenomenon is most acute in the rental sector, which accounts for over 70% of these newly identified impoverished individuals. Conversely, homeownership serves as a buffer, with only 3.2% of mortgage holders falling into poverty after monthly payments. The economic burden of family formation is further highlighted by a Raisin study, which estimates the average cost of raising a child in Spain from birth until independence has reached 346,586 euros—a nearly 70% increase since 2002. Expenses in the first year of life alone are estimated at 12,053 euros, representing 38% to 45% of the average annual salary. These costs contribute to delayed youth emancipation; Spain currently ranks as the fourth country in the EU for the latest youth departure from the family home, with an average age of 30.2 years. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-21: Spain: Cost of raising a child reaches 346,586 euros Raising a child in Spain costs an average of 346,586 euros, as youth emancipation delays until age 30.2, one of the highest rates in the EU. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-cost-of-raising-a-child-reaches-346586-euros ### 2026-09-16: Spain housing costs drive two million people into ‘hidden poverty’ A Fedea study finds nearly two million people in Spain face ‘hidden poverty,’ as 25.4% of non-poor renters fall below the poverty line after paying market-rate housing costs. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-housing-costs-drive-two-million-people-into-hidden-poverty ### 2026-09-15: Spain housing costs delay youth emancipation and family formation High housing costs in Spain are forcing 65.6% of young people to delay emancipation, while over half of university students continue to live with their parents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-housing-costs-delay-youth-emancipation-and-family-formation ### 2026-08-28: Spain reports highest child poverty rate in the European Union Spain has the highest child poverty rate in the EU, with an AROPE rate near 30%. A FEDEA study suggests the issue is structural and not corrected by economic growth alone. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-reports-highest-child-poverty-rate-in-the-european-union ### 2026-08-24: Child poverty in Spain affects over 2 million minors A FEDEA study shows child poverty in Spain reached a 33.8% risk of social exclusion in 2025, driven by high child-rearing costs and affecting over 2 million minors, especially in single-parent homes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/child-poverty-in-spain-affects-over-2-million-minors --- Cite as: Child poverty and housing-driven economic vulnerability in|. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-poverty-rates-in-spain