Difficult paths to independence
Currently, only 15.9% of young Spaniards, aged between 16 and 29, have managed to become independent. This figure has decreased by 7.3 points compared to a decade ago. Extending the range, we discover that 69.8% of people between 30 and 34 years old have left their parental home, a percentage that has also decreased by 4.5 points in the last ten years. This implies that 30% of individuals over 35 continue living with their parents. On average, young people become emancipated at 29.5 years old and many of them choose to share an apartment instead of living alone or as a couple. In Catalonia, it is common to find young people aged 30 or over, even with permanent jobs, living with roommates, something unthinkable two decades ago.
Decline in birth rate
A few weeks ago the figures on the birth rate in Catalonia were published. In 2023, 54,182 babies were born in the region, a reduction of 3.9% compared to the previous year. The provisional fertility rate was 1.10 children per woman, the lowest number ever recorded. This indicator has been declining since 1990, reaching its peak in 2008 with 1.53 children per woman, still far from the replacement level of 2.2. Foreign women residing in Catalonia have a fertility rate of 1.32 children per woman, higher than that of Catalan women, although it is still low.
Link between housing and birth rate
I usually mention both topics together because the housing crisis and the demographic crisis are closely related. Many women in Catalonia do not want to have as many children as in their parents’ generation, where it was common to have three or four. Nowadays, couples aspire to have fewer children, but still have the desire to have at least one or two. The main reason they do not expand their families is not a lack of desire, but rather the financial inability to guarantee an adequate life for their children.
Financial obstacles and wishes of a family
The big problem is that many potential parents cannot ensure basic needs such as food, accommodation and education for their children. It is difficult to afford an apartment, so how do you cover the costs of having children? Emancipation is a crucial prior step in creating a family. That is why the average age for motherhood in Catalonia is 32.6 years. This situation should be at the top of political priorities.
Solutions in sight
The answer cannot be found in the short term, as it requires strong measures such as the construction of thousands of affordable rental housing units, the creation of hundreds of free public nurseries, as well as the implementation of aid specifically dedicated to middle-class families. These actions would be a good start to address this critical problem.
Long term consequences
The repercussions of the demographic crisis are numerous and worrying. The future of the Catalan language and culture is also threatened, given that the transmission of the mother tongue is key to its survival. The reduction in the number of native Catalan speakers is an undeniable fact. Likewise, Catalan universities will face a decrease in the number of students, which will affect the labor market due to the lack of trained professionals in various sectors.
Need for government action
The demographic crisis is, without a doubt, a national issue that demands urgent attention from the authorities. However, there is scepticism as to whether this problem will receive the necessary attention. The inability, or lack of interest, of the leaders to face this situation continues to be a concern among those who want a better future for Catalonia.