Spain: cost of living

What is Spain's inflation rate?

Spain's annual inflation rate was 4.9% in September 2026, six tenths higher than in August and the highest since February 2023, according to INE's consumer price index release of 14 October 2026. The EU harmonised index (HICP) was 5.0%.

INE says transport prices, up 10.5%, and recreation and culture, up 3.6%, pushed the rate up. Prices rose 0.3% from August. The index uses 2025 = 100.

Official sources: INE: consumer price index, September 2026

What is Spain's core inflation rate?

Spain's core inflation rate was 3.1% in September 2026, two tenths higher than in August, according to INE's consumer price index release of 14 October 2026.

Core inflation excludes unprocessed food and energy, whose prices move sharply, so it shows underlying price pressure. In September it was well below the headline rate of 4.9%, which shows how much energy added to overall inflation. Services prices rose 3.9%, according to INE's annex tables.

Official sources: INE: consumer price index, September 2026 · INE: CPI annex tables (XLSX)

How fast are energy prices rising in Spain?

Energy prices in Spain were 21.7% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to INE's CPI annex tables for September 2026. Personal transport, which includes fuel, rose 12.3%.

INE says fuel prices rose in September after falling a year earlier, and that higher electricity and heating oil prices pushed up housing costs in the month. Energy has a large effect on the headline rate: inflation excluding energy was 3.3%, against 4.9% overall.

Official sources: INE: CPI annex tables, September 2026 (XLSX) · INE: consumer price index, September 2026

How fast are food prices rising in Spain?

Food and non-alcoholic drinks cost 2.7% more in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to INE's CPI annex tables. Unprocessed food rose 5.8%. Among individual items, eggs were up 12.3%, fresh vegetables and pulses 9.8% and fresh fruit 9.6%.

Fresh food prices depend on harvests and weather, so they move more than processed food, which rose 1.5% including drinks and tobacco. The figures are national averages from the consumer price index.

Official sources: INE: CPI annex tables, September 2026 (XLSX)

How much does the average Spanish household spend?

The average Spanish household spent €35,101 in 2025, 3.1% more than in 2024, according to INE's household budget survey (EPF). Spending per person was €14,066.

Spending rose most on housing, water, electricity and gas (5.8%). Households in the lowest-spending fifth devoted 61.5% of their budget to housing and utilities together with food. The survey records actual spending, including the imputed rent of owner-occupiers, so housing makes up a large share.

Official sources: INE: household budget survey (EPF) 2025

How many Spaniards struggle to make ends meet?

8.5% of people in Spain said they made ends meet "with great difficulty" in 2025, down from 9.1% in 2024, according to INE's living conditions survey (ECV) of 5 February 2026. 25.7% were at risk of poverty or social exclusion and 8.1% were in severe material and social deprivation.

Average income per person was €15,620 in 2024, up 5.5%. The survey asks about the previous year's income, so the income figures lag by a year.

Official sources: INE: living conditions survey (ECV) 2025

What is Spain's inflation rate?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Spain was 2.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 8.4%; its low point was 2015, at -0.5%. It is 31st highest of 48 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7%. Worldwide: 87th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Spain?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Spain was $16,636 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at $16,826; its low point was 2020, at $14,229. It is 17th highest of 44 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $11,266. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 22nd highest.

How many people in Spain live on under $3 a day?

In 2023, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Spain was 0.8%, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 1.3%; its low point was 2007, at 0.6%. It is 10th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.4%. Of 59 countries with 2023 data, 31st highest.

How many people in Spain are poor?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Spain at 20.2% in 2022. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.7% (2006) to 22.3% (2015). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 17.9%, and Spain placed 8th highest of 22. Worldwide: 29th of 52.

What is income inequality in Spain?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Spain was 33.4 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 36.2; its low point was 2005, at 32.4. It is 12th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 31.5. Worldwide: 33rd of 59.

How many people in Spain face food insecurity?

7.4%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in Spain for 2024, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2015 was 2019, at 8.8%; its low point was 2023, at 6.5%. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.6%; Spain is 25th highest of 45. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 109th highest.