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Three million Spaniards living in extreme poverty, and becoming chronic says Caritas

Friday, October 11th 2013 - 18:24 UTC
Full article 27 comments

The number of Spaniards living in severe poverty has doubled to 3 million since the economic crisis erupted in 2008, according to a report released by the Caritas charity, taking as poverty line those who live on less than 307 €euros (414 dollars) a month. Read full article

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  • Britworker

    If they're not careful they will need to find a distraction to take their people's minds of the dire problems they face........oh wait!

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 06:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Gordo1

    The great Spanish nation were let down by their two most recent governments, both incapable of managing the country's finances and relying too much on 1) the European Union and 2)the construction industry.

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 06:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    more than 3 millions ,

    Portugal is worse than it .

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 06:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Another nail in spains coffin..

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 06:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    Interesting. According to available data Spain's GDP (PPP) per capita is around £9,000 LESS than Gibraltar's. That must tell a story. Spain is JEALOUS!

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 07:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    @3

    The situation in Portugal is more comfortable than that of Spain.

    Portugal has Brazil to support him, and receive his unemployed.

    The image of Spain from its former colonies is not good.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXuED066IIc

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • slattzzz

    Meanwhile Gibs GDP is £1.88 billion up 7.8 %, inflation is 2.6% and unemployment 3%. draw your own conclusions and before all the trolls start it is worked out on a basis of population etc etc as everyone's economy is

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura

    It seems the Spanish economy is slowly trickling itself back to sustainable growth , but for many of their youth it will be too late

    Oct 11th, 2013 - 09:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • screenname

    they could always move to London

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 02:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rupertbrooks0

    The unemployment rate or Gibraltar in 2011 was 1.8%. One of the lowest in Europe, along with Jersey. Guernsey, Isle of Man, Monaco and Liechtenstein. I guess you could argue its actuallly a minus number since Gibraltars 30,000 people support at least 5,000 jobs for Spanish citizens living across the border. Spanish unemployment is a real tragedy, its impossible to see 4 million jobs being created in the forseeable future. In some towns in Andalusia unemployment is 50%+. For many its a choice between poverty or emigration. Like Ireland in the 60's and 70's. Sad story really.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 04:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Xect

    The Spanish economy is certainly still very badly broken and will not recover for a very long time indeed.

    The Spanish economy was always going to fail with such a level of its GDP in construction and related services. As soon as there was a slow down it was inevitable Spain wouldn't have a functioning economy.

    Back in 2007 we were warning about the Spanish economy.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 09:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • A_Voice

    ....never mind Gibraltar what about the UK...
    The UK is the world's six largest economy, yet 1 in 5 of the UK population live below our official poverty line, meaning that they experience life as a daily struggle.

    and....

    a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned.

    The study said 2.2 million children and two million working age adults were living in absolute poverty in 2009-10.

    It predicts that by 2012-13, this will rise by an extra 600,000 children and 800,000 adults of working age.
    In percentage terms, 17% of UK children were living in absolute poverty in 2009-10. By 2012-13, the IFS predicts this will rise to 21.8%.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 10:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    In the meantime, according to the IMF, the UK is showing the fastest growth rate of any advanced economy.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 12:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rupertbrooks0

    12 A_Voice

    Yeah, tricky one, there is no “absolute” poverty in the UK, which is found in the third world and is defined as being unable to access the bare necessities of life such as food and water. Relative poverty in the UK is defined as living on an income 60% below the average. Strangely 60% of those in poverty own their own home. Even the poorest can access free education, welfare and health services. Most of the poor are people with disabilities, old people on low pensions, single parent families and the unemployed. Since poverty is defined in relative terms even if everyone was to double their real incomes (be it a high salary, a pension or unemployment benefit) the level of poverty would remain exactly the same. The way out of poverty is through, education, training and a decent job. Unfortunately this option is not possible for all. I work with young Downs syndome people and obviously most are relatively poor despite support from their families and social service departments.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 01:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    Tribute to the Portugueses of Rio de Janeiro. Welcome!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObE1mfQP42E&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LatAm

    @15

    Did you know the Galicians have a long history in Rio particularly in the hotel industry? I'm definitely seeing more Spanish immigrants coming to Brazil these days although they often leave because they can't get used to the inferior jamon

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 04:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @16 Interesting. I was speaking to a business woman in Chile where unemployment is low. She was explaining it is difficult to get good staff and she had tried recruiting from Spain. They just could not fit in with the other staff as they considered themselves superior to South Americans.

    There are definitely more Spanish living and working in the UK but the majority of young professionals are learning German as their prospects are good there.

    Oct 12th, 2013 - 06:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • bizimporter

    Many Spaniards have found good jobs in Mexico City. These are professional university-educated Spaniards. I doubt that non-professional arrivals without a university degree would have much luck there. I've witnessed the influx on recent business trips to Mexico DF. There has always been some Spaniards living there, but the effects of Spain's crisis is quite apparent by the number of recent arrivals to Mexico City and Monterrey.

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 05:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Escoses Doido

    @15:

    Lord Thomas Cochrane sorted them oot for ye......

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    @18 Escocês Doido

    Tribute to Lord Thomas Cochrane, Grand Admiral of our independence.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_TeWPbN-64&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A&index=137

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 02:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    We have real difficulties in segregating between disadvantage in the third world and the developed world.
    My son is disadvantaged by lack of employment following a uni career; his basket of support has been the state and his parents. He is in 'relative poverty', Rupert.
    It does not have to be this way for ever; but the Poverty Gap is real - really real.
    They do not see what REAL poverty is like. I see it all around me, all the time.
    But perception is the thing that conditions our being.

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 03:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    @21 Geoff,

    Your son.....é brasileiro, é baiano? He graduated in that area? It is important to continue studies (specialization, master, doctorate). It takes time, I know, but with horizons expanded, he will have a future much better than ourselves. At this stage of life there is no poverty if their parents are middle class.

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 04:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rupertbrooks0

    21 GeoffWard2

    Well of course, the unemployed are poor relative to those with well paid jobs, but I'm sure your son will find an opening soon. These are difficult times but the worst of the recession seems to be over. Your son also has the advantage of being educated. It seems unlikely that he will be poor for his entire life.

    However I admit I am by nature an optimistic person and my mind turns effortlessly to the brigher picture.

    What is largely absent from Britain is that hopeless grinding poverty without any realistic expectation of betterment that is the lot of those in the poorest part of the world. Even in the Birmingham suburb of Ladywood, which has the the countries highest unemployment rate of 15.7%, the vast majority of people are working.

    Compare that to Spain! with an AVERAGE rate of 25% nationally and an average of 45% in Andalusia! A Very different story.

    By best wishes to your son.

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 04:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussie sunshine

    The are poor people ALL OVER Europe....from North to South and East to West...not just Spain.....

    Oct 13th, 2013 - 10:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    @6

    did you ever seen Portugal ? i did it with my greenishblue eyes !!

    Oct 14th, 2013 - 06:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    'The UK is the world's six largest economy, yet 1 in 5 of the UK population live below our official poverty line, ..' A_Voice (#12)

    I don't know where you really live, Mr Voice, but I assume its Argentina.

    Are you really suggesting that 20% of Brits live below YOUR official poverty line,
    and that 20% of Brits (excluding pensioners) live in (IFS) ABSOLUTE poverty.
    That - including the aged - must make between a quarter and a half of all Brits existing in absolute poverty ...
    This is so blatantly untrue as to be laughable.

    Consider using better sources when quoting about *absolute* poverty.

    Whilst it is true that many Brits like to use 'Charity Shops' to buy their clothes - including me when in the UK - this is a lifestyle choice for most; part of the new re-cycling culture.
    It enables me to get designer gear at a fraction of their price in the fashion shops (yes, even at my age!), whilst at the same time contributing to Oxfam, cancer research organisations, etc.

    Oct 15th, 2013 - 12:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rupertbrooks0

    26 GeoffWard2

    Absolutely. I recall Kate Moss, yes THE Kate Moss: the super rich global fashion icon talking about the clothes she was wearing one time. The sexy skin tight jeans came from Harvey Nicks in Knightsbridge, the embroidered silk shirt came from Versace in Sloane Street and the purple velvet waistcoat came from a charity shop in Brighton!

    I myself recently brought two brand new Gieves and Hawkes shirts for £5.99 each from a charity shop in Winchester and a pair of drop dead cool Italian made Diesel jeans for £ 12.95 from another charity shop in Camden Town.

    The coolest charity shop by far is the Fara charity shop in Elgin Crescent just off Portobello road in Notting Hill. Cool and spacious, wooden floors, attractive young staff and mostly designer labels donated by the merchant bankers and film stars who live in the neighbouring £20 million+ houses around the corner. Dirt cheap as well. If an item is unsold for a week they half the price. Check it out.

    Oct 15th, 2013 - 04:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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