CIS - Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas

• 54.5% of respondents say they are "very or quite interested in politics," according to the CIS survey on political participation.
• 83.1% say they would be willing to participate in meetings to vote or support citizen proposals on political issues.
• 93.8% of Spaniards believe that "we should always respect the opinions of others, even if they differ from our own."

The CIS has conducted a survey on political participation, asking about issues related to respondents' daily lives and current affairs.

54.5% of those interviewed said they were "very or quite interested" in politics, while 42.1% were "little or not at all interested."

Regarding the statement "democracy may have problems, but it is always preferable to any other form of government," 87.2% agreed, while 11.4% disagreed. Eighty-seven percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 agreed with the preference for democracy, a percentage that drops to 82.8% among young people between the ages of 25 and 34.
Regarding who should make decisions in a democratic country like Spain, 34.2% believe it should be experts in each field; 30.2% believe it should be citizens through referendums and citizen consultations; and 29.5% believe it should be elected political representatives.

Forms of participation

Regarding participating in person in citizen meetings to make decisions on political issues, 83.1% say they would be willing to vote or support proposals, and 71% say they would do so to "debate or exchange opinions on political decisions."

If participation were online, the percentage of people willing to participate would decrease: 73.9% say they would participate to "vote or support citizen proposals on political issues" and 59.7% say they would do so to "debate or exchange opinions on political decisions."

77.3% say they have not participated in any public affairs initiatives in the last 12 months. Of these, 67.5% say they would have participated if they had known of a public participation initiative, while 27.3% said they had not.
Of the 27.3% who would not have participated, 31.2% say it's because they're not interested or motivated enough, 27% say it's because they lack time, and 23% say it's because they don't consider themselves sufficiently prepared.

Associations and groups

16.1% of respondents belong to and participate in a cultural or leisure group, 13.5% in a sports club or association, 13% in a charity or social aid association, and 4.2% in a union.

Regarding political parties, 3.5% say they belong to them and actively participate, 3.8% say they are affiliated but do not participate, and 10% say they once belonged but no longer do.

As for those who have never participated in a group or association, 35.9% say they have "never considered it," 18.8% say they lack time, 11.8% say they are "not interested in participating in any association," and 10.7% say they have "more interesting things to do."
Participation in the last year
44.1% of respondents report having donated or raised money for a cause. 37.6% report having purchased certain products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons. 36.2% report having boycotted or stopped buying certain products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons. And 32.1% report collaborating with a group or association.

Participation in the last year

44.1% of respondents report having donated or raised money for a cause. 37.6% report having purchased certain products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons. 36.2% report having boycotted or stopped buying certain products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons. And 32.1% report collaborating with a group or association.

Regarding attending a demonstration, 21.5% say they have participated in the last 12 months, 42.2% say they have participated in the more distant past, and 15.5% say they have never participated but could. Another 19.8% say they would never do so.
Regarding participating in a strike, 9.6% have done so in the last 12 months, 42.6% participated in the more distant past, 21.6% have not but could, and 25.1% have not participated and would never do so.

Respect for other people's ideas

Regarding some statements, 93.8% of Spaniards believe that "we should always respect the opinions of others, even if they differ from our own," while only 5.4% say this is not the case. There is also consensus on the statement that "besides traditional marriage, there are many other acceptable ways of relating as a couple," according to 88.4%, while 9.8% deny this. Furthermore, 60.5% of those surveyed state that "today, few people identify with a specific social class," while 34.6% say this is not the case.

Regarding living a good life, Spaniards give themselves an average score of 7.04, with 10 being the best possible life.
When it comes to facing major life problems, 52.9% say they find it "easy or very easy," while 42.3% find it "difficult or very difficult," and only 4.5% say it's "neither easy nor difficult."

Current issues

For 84.2%, "climate change is a real threat to human well-being and the health of the planet," while 14.8% disagree with this statement. While 93% agree that "we must achieve full equality between men and women in all areas of life," only 6.2% disagree.

These and other data are collected in this survey, conducted from December 12 to 18, with 2,562 interviews. The complete data can be found on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es).

Press release