Latest news from the CIS

On July 5, at 12:30 p.m., the preview of the results of the ICC (Índice de Confianza del Consumidor) will be available to all media and interested people on the website of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (www.cis.es). The ICC collects monthly the assessment of the recent evolution and expectations of Spanish consumers related to their family economy, employment and their savings and consumption possibilities. For any questions, the Communication telephone number is 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

The study 3455 'Barómetro sanitario 2024 (primera oleada)' is now available. They have at their disposal the microdata file, the marginal and crossing reports, and the technical documentation. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link indicated below.

The first wave of the 2024 Health Barometer reveals a slight increase in population satisfaction with the public health system, which reached 6.26 points out of 10 in April, slightly exceeding the score of 6.14 recorded in the same period in 2023. Satisfaction with Primary Care experienced a slight increase, reaching 6.29 points compared to 6.19 the previous year. While specialized care remains positive, its score decreased from 5.95 to 5.86 points. On the other hand, emergency services (7.51 points) and hospital care (7.14 points) remain the most highly valued aspects of the healthcare system. Regarding waiting lists, the percentage of citizens who believe they have worsened has decreased by more than four percentage points, from 39.2% to 34.6%. 50.1% of the population still believes that public healthcare is financed in whole or in part by contributions from working people, and only 45.6% know that it is financed by taxes from all citizens. Primary Care 83.6% of primary care service users rate the care they receive positively. This percentage has increased slightly compared to 80.4% in 2023. The most highly rated aspects are the trust and security conveyed by both the nursing and medical staff (8.08 and 7.87 out of 10, respectively). Regarding wait times, 25.1% of those who made an appointment were seen by their primary care physician on the same day or the next day, five points more than last year's survey. The rest had an average wait of 8.3 days, compared to 9.12 in 2023. Furthermore, almost 80% of citizens who needed primary care assistance last year were seen in person. Specialties 42.3% have consulted a public health specialist in the last twelve months, either by referral from a Primary Care physician (37.2%) or by appointment from the specialist physician during a previous consultation (57.9%). 81.5% of users positively rate the care they receive, with no significant changes compared to 2023 (82.8%). The aspects most highly valued by users are the information they receive about their health problems and the trust and security instilled by the medical staff (7.74 and 7.73, respectively). Hospital admission 10.1% reported having been admitted to a public hospital in the last twelve months. 40.3% were scheduled for surgery or diagnostic testing; 56.9% for an urgent illness or health problem; and 2.8% for childbirth. 87.6% of public hospital users positively rate the care they received during their stay. The highest-rated aspects are the care provided by the various professionals (nursing, 8.46 points, and medicine, 8.39 points). Emergencies 44.6% of citizens admit to having visited a public health emergency service in the last twelve months. Primary care services accounted for 40.5% of the demand during this period, hospital emergency services accounted for 52.7%, and 6.5% used a 061/112 type emergency service. The National Health System's emergency services are rated positively by 76.5% of those who used them. Equality This year, 2024, the Health Barometer included a question about the population's perception of equal treatment in public healthcare based on various aspects. Nearly 40% of the general population perceives that services are not received equally depending on the autonomous community in which they live, and 36% also believe that treatment is unequal depending on the person's handling of new technologies. Socioeconomic status, or the age of the people served, are the aspects in which the greatest equality in treatment is perceived. Mental health This edition also explores, for the first time, some aspects related to the care of mental health problems. In April 2024, 17.8% of respondents reported having needed to consult a healthcare professional for a mental health problem or psychological or emotional distress. 46.3% received care in the public health system, 44.7% in the private health system, and 2.6% in both. Among those treated in the public health system, 40.1% reported being treated primarily by a psychiatric specialist, 33.1% by their family doctor, and 20.8% by a psychologist. Twenty-six percent of those who consulted a professional for mental health issues got their appointment in less than 30 days; 40% were seen within one to three months; and another 26% waited more than three months to receive a consultation. 78.9% of people treated in public healthcare stated they were satisfied with the care they received during their visit, and 49.0% reported receiving better care than they expected. Acceptance of vaccines The Health Barometer has also included, for the first time, a series of questions to assess the degree of acceptance of vaccine use among the general population. Vaccination acceptance in our country is high, despite the fact that 36.7% believe they cause adverse health effects. The level of agreement with the protective aspects of vaccines exceeds 90%, and 89.9% state they follow the recommendations of healthcare professionals regarding vaccination. Knowledge and use of technologies In this wave, the Health Barometer also asks about citizens' use of digital technologies to interact with the healthcare system. 55.9% of those interviewed reported having an electronic certificate for carrying out administrative procedures, and only 0.9% did not know what it was. This indicator is relevant since access to the interoperable NHS medical record and, in most cases, to regional medical records, requires a personal electronic certificate. 38.5% have accessed their electronic medical records, compared to 61.5% of those interviewed who have never accessed them: 32.2% of them were unaware of this possibility, and 19.3% do not know or cannot use the Internet. 60.4% of respondents know they can pick up medications prescribed by the public health system outside their autonomous community thanks to the interoperable electronic prescription system, and 44.3% of them have used this service. The Health Barometer is an annual public opinion survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) since 1993. The annual survey, the basis of the study, consists of approximately 7,800 home interviews with people aged 18 and over, in all Spanish provinces. The first wave was conducted in April 2024, with 2,576 interviews.

The study 3463 'Barómetro de junio 2024' is now available. They have at their disposal the microdata file, the marginal and crossing reports, and the technical documentation. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link indicated below.

On July 4, starting at 11:30 p.m., the study ‘Barómetro sanitario 2024 (primera oleada)' will be available to all media and interested people on the website of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (www.cis.es). You will be able to access this study from the CIS website through the "Studies Catalog". For any questions, the Communication telephone number is 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

The summer course "The Study of Public Opinion in Democratic Societies" continues in El Escorial. This second session focused on communication and public opinion in modern democracies. EFE President Miguel Ángel Oliver emphasized the importance of verifying and cross-checking information. He also asserted that EFE itself is "a verification tool." "Journalism today is experiencing a more complex climate than a few years ago due to the fragmentation of society and the sheer number of media outlets," Oliver explained. José María Calviño, the former general director of RTVE, asserted that it was easier to report in the media in the past than it is now. "In the 1980s, TVE's goal was to bring news items closer to the public, not to provide the absolute truth," Calviño explained. The scientific study of Public Opinion was also discussed by Professor Antonio Alaminos, a member of the Scientific Council of the CIS. Alaminos explained that "predictive models in Spain make operational adjustments that are products of intuition," referring to private polling firms. Today, Professor of Sociology Gaspar Brändle also spoke about public opinion in Spain and its evolution.

On July 2, at 12:00 p.m., the preview of the results of the study 'Postelectoral de Cataluña. Elecciones autonómicas 2024' will be available to all media and interested people on the website of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (www.cis.es). For any questions, the Communication telephone number is 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

El curso de verano que organiza el CIS 'El estudio de la Opinión Pública en las sociedades democráticas' ha sido inaugurado hoy por el presidente de la Institución, José Félix Tezanos. Tezanos ha centrado su ponencia en los estudios de opinión pública e investigaciones sociológicas.  El Catedrático y presidente del CIS ha puesto el foco entre la diferencia que existe entre un pronóstico y una estimación: "la estimación se basa en indicadores estadísticos". Además, ha explicado que en procesos o contextos sencillos es "más fácil hacer una estimación, a pesar de que hoy en día los electorados están en descomposición, la gente que vota a un mismo partido se ha ido reduciendo al 20%".   Durante la mañana también ha intervenido el expresidente del CIS y Académico de la Real Academia de Ciencias Morales y Políticas, Juan Díez Nicolás. Díez ha asegurado que "las encuestas de opinión están dentro de la investigación sociológica, pero son solo una parte de la realidad social" y ha añadido que "esa realidad no está ordenada, sino que la ordenamos nosotros con los sistemas de clasificación". Unos sistemas que son "totalmente subjetivos". Durante la sesión de la tarde se ha celebrado la mesa 'La información y el estudio de la opinión pública como servicio público', la presidenta de RTVE, Concepción Cascajosa, ha explicado que el ente público tiene puesto el foco estos últimos años en "ofrecer informacón veraz y crear herramientas que permitan verificar información".

Under the motto #SociologyForTheDigitalSociety , more than 1,500 sociologists have gathered at the Pablo de Olavide University for the XV Spanish Congress of Sociology, which was held in Seville from June 26 to 29. The president of the CIS (Center for Sociological Research), José Félix Tezanos, presided over the closing symposium of the Congress, which this year focused on the effects of digitalization. Under the title "The Digital Society: Some Current Questions," Tezanos moderated the panel discussion, which included National Sociology Prize winner Constanza Tobío. The closing ceremony was then held, attended by the president of the CIS, the president of the Organizing Committee, Mercedes Camarero, and the president of the Spanish Federation of Sociology, Màrius Domínguez. During the closing remarks, Tezanos asserted that "Sociology is dedicated to analyzing, understanding, and studying social trends. That is its fundamental role." He added that "it is a science that has been described as the science of exciting times, and right now, society is experiencing another exciting time." Find more information about the Congress here.  

The study 3459 'Postelectoral País Vasco . Elecciones autonómicas 2024' is now available. They have at their disposal the microdata file, the marginal and crossing reports, and the technical documentation. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link indicated below.

Alain Touraine is one of the great classical authors of contemporary sociology, whose work revolved around the analysis of societies he termed post-industrial. These are societies in which social movements have been "the driving force behind the changes" that have occurred during this historical period. This work is the result of assessments by some of his students and collaborators over time, whose purpose has been to provide a historical overview of the intellectual work of this eminent sociologist, focusing on the influence his work has had on sociology. This brief work includes analyses by sociologists such as Manuel Castells, José Félix Tezanos, Marina Subirats, Michel Wieviorka, and Verónica Díaz. Buy it at our bookstore .

The CIS has carried out a survey on inequalities and social trends during the month of June in which they ask about situations that generate inequality, standard of living and social classes, among other issues. 86.4% say they are “very or quite concerned” about social inequalities, while 13.1% say they are “little or not at all” concerned. Furthermore, 47.9% say that there are now more inequalities than ten years ago, 35.8% that there are fewer and 11.7% the same. When asked about 10 years from now, 50.6% assure that there will be more, 31.6% that there will be less and 6% that there will be the same as now. 58% of those surveyed believe that young people will live worse throughout their lives than their parents, 19.7% believe that they will live better and 18.6% that they will live the same. 51.2% say that in Spain there are great inequalities "in some aspects, but not in others", 35.4% affirm that there are great social inequalities and 8.7% say that there are few. Standard of living 64.5% of those surveyed claim to feel “very or quite satisfied” with their standard of living, compared to 30.6% who claim to feel “little or not at all satisfied” and 3.3% think that their personal situation is “ regular". Regarding future expectations, 47.2% believe that their life will improve during the next 5 years, 33.6% believe that their life will worsen and 14.5% that their life will remain the same. Regarding class identification, 62.4% affirm that their social class has changed compared to that of their parents. Of them, 62.3% think that it has changed to “much better or better.” Furthermore, 51.9% claim that they now have “many more or more” economic opportunities than their parents had, compared to 37.3% who affirm that there are now “less or much less.” Social Mobility 55.7% affirm that they have experienced upward social mobility throughout their lives, 26.5% believe that it has been downward and 15.3% believe that they have not had mobility of any kind. 56.9% believe that education is the main element that affects social mobility, 45.5% say that it is personal effort and hard work, and 31.9% believe that the main factor is the family . Inequalities between Autonomous Communities According to 41% of those surveyed, the differences between communities have increased, 29.8% believe that they have remained “more or less the same” and 20.6% have tended to decrease. As for the coming years, 38.8% believe that they will tend to increase, 40.2% that they will be more or less the same and 15.3% that they will tend to decrease. Situations that generate inequality 85.2% believe that unemployment in Spain will continue to be a major problem. There is also consensus on the statement “in Spain there will be more poor than rich” since it is supported by 76.2% of those surveyed and 62.1% points out that “in Spain, women will have the same presence as men in all areas of society.” This survey asked about some phrases that reflect opinions that people usually have, 83.3% disagree with the idea that "poor people do not know how to manage their economy well", on the contrary, 88. 8% believe that “child poverty needs urgent and decisive action from the Government.” And 74.5% are in favor of “the Government must guarantee that wealth is distributed fairly among all Spaniards.” Other data provided by the survey are that 70.7% believe that the richest should pay more taxes so that the government has more means to fight poverty and 85.5% assure that the best social policy is employment. . These and other data are found in the study 'Inequality and social trends' that was carried out from June 6 to 11 and has a sample of 4,006 interviews.

On June 25, at 12:30 p.m., the preview of the results of the study 'Desigualdades y tendencias sociales' will be available to all media and interested people on the website of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (www.cis.es). For any questions, the Communication telephone number is 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

The Center for Sociological Research (CIS) regrets that certain analysts repeatedly criticize alleged errors in its surveys, leading them to make highly critical value judgments about the methodologies used by the CIS. This is false because the CIS conducts measurements, not predictions. Predictions are evaluated based on election results, while measurements analyze what may lead to, or has led to, certain results. This is a crucial difference. This approach leads to an error, which, when intentional, constitutes misinformation, on the part of those who claim that measurements are predictions. The distinction between these two concepts is included in all the technical data sheets of every study prepared and published by the CIS, as well as in various scientific publications. Claiming that the CIS "doesn't get it right" in its election predictions is as true or as false as saying the exact opposite, because the CIS doesn't make predictions but rather measurements and estimates of trends with the corresponding theoretical margins of error; estimates, of course, that are only valid for the days on which the CIS surveys are conducted, dates that are always well before (generally ten days) the time of the vote. Dealing with the CIS (Spanish Center for Sociological Research) in the face of systemic criticism, misinformation, and accusations of various kinds seems more like a way to avoid genuinely scientific and rigorous debates on these issues, while simultaneously trying to mask the fact that in certain electoral processes some parties have not achieved their pre-set objectives. This is a matter in which neither the CIS nor its surveys can or should intervene, as these are political issues that are not the CIS's concern. Furthermore, in response to Ms. Gamarra's announcement to activate the Commission of Inquiry into the CIS, which was announced previously in the Senate, this autonomous body expresses its willingness to collaborate in this process, and thus take advantage of this circumstance to provide public and transparent information on the management of the CIS and the procedures followed in its investigative work and public administration, whose accounts are audited annually, being one of the bodies whose latest accounts have not been subject to any objection.

The Spanish Journal of Sociological Research renews its quality seal awarded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) for another year. The indicator examined to renew the Quality Seal has been the level of impact and visibility, composed of the following variables for the time frame of the last 5 years: Citations obtained: total number of citations obtained in the SCIE, SSCI, A&HCI, ESCI, SCOPUS and SciELO databases. Weighting: 60% of the total score. H-Index: h-Index WoS, h-Index SJR, h5-Index Google Scholar Metrics. Weighting: 10% of the total score. JCI and SJR Quartile: score according to the quartile in which the journal is ranked for each database (see evaluation guide). Weighting: 10% of the total score. MIAR Composite Index of Secondary Diffusion (ICDS) in 2023. Weighting: 20% of the total score. The Spanish Journal of Sociological Research (REIS) is a quarterly publication of the Center for Sociological Research (CIS), forming a fundamental part of its publishing activity. First published in 1978, its aim is to disseminate academic studies that contribute to a better understanding of Spanish society. Due to its long history and the high standards it demands of its contributions, it has become a benchmark journal for any scholar or researcher in the social sciences.

The CIS has conducted the monthly barometer with the usual questions such as voting intentions, problems affecting Spaniards, social inequalities and other issues. The PSOE is the leading party in voting intentions with 31.7% of the votes, the PP would achieve 30.7%, VOX would be the third leading party with 12.1%, SUMAR would get 8.8% and Podemos would obtain 3.6%. Preferences regarding leaders Pedro Sánchez is the preferred candidate for Prime Minister for 27.4% of Spaniards, 13.8 points ahead of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who is favored by 13.6%. Santiago Abascal is the favorite for 6.5%, Yolanda Díaz for 5.8%, and Isabel Díaz Ayuso—who has dropped two points—for 3.2%. Among the selected candidates, the gap widens: 43.5% of respondents who gave their opinion prefer Pedro Sánchez as Prime Minister, giving him a 22-point lead over Feijóo, who is preferred by 21.5%. Santiago Abascal comes in third place with 10.3%, followed by Yolanda with 9.2%, and Isabel Díaz Ayuso with 5%. Regarding the trust generated by the main leaders, Pedro Sánchez inspires "a lot or quite a lot" of trust in 30.3% of Spaniards, compared to the leader of the opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who inspires "a lot or quite a lot" in 21.9%. Regarding the evaluation of leaders, the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is the best rated with a 4.30, followed by Yolanda Díaz with a 4.11, Alberto Núñez Feijóo with a 3.87, and Santiago Abascal with a 2.81. Social inequalities 49% of those surveyed say that inequalities exist in some aspects of Spain, but not in others. 39.4% state that there are significant social inequalities, while 8.7% say there are few social inequalities in our country. Spaniards believe that these inequalities will worsen within 10 years, with 48.6% thinking there will be significant social inequalities and 9.9% believing there will be few. An additional 32.7% believe inequalities will exist in some areas but not in others. 58% believe that in ten years' time in Spain, interpersonal inequalities in income and earnings will be greater. 52.4% believe that interpersonal inequalities in the level of consumption of goods and services will be greater, as will interregional inequalities (48.5%) and inequalities between people of different ages (37.3%). Equal opportunities and identities 83.6% of those surveyed believe that Spaniards do not have the same opportunities to access housing, 78% say that in Spain there is no equality of opportunity to increase income, and 74.5% believe that there is no equality of opportunity to get a job. 25.1% say that in 10 years people will identify with the same people from their social class, 18% will identify with people of the same age, and 17.7% with people with the same political ideas. Housing as a problem The problems that Spaniards say most affect them personally are, firstly, the economic crisis and economic problems (26%), secondly, Health care for 23.1% and - as a new development - housing in third place for 17.1%. Regarding the main problems in Spain, they point to political problems in general (23%), followed by housing (21.2%) and then unemployment (19.6%). Economic situation 65.8% of people say their personal financial situation is “very good or good,” compared to 22.6% who say it is “bad or very bad” and 10.6% who say it is fair. In contrast, when asked about the economic situation in Spain, only 32.8% say it is “very good or good,” while 58.8% say it is “bad or very bad.” 6.5% say it is fair. These and other data are collected in the monthly barometer carried out from May 31 to June 6 with 4,011 interviews.

On June 20, at 12:00 p.m., the preview of the results of the 'Barómetro de junio 2024' will be available to all media and interested people on the website of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (www.cis.es). For any questions, the Communication telephone number is 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

Resolution of the Presidency of the Sociological Research Center by which the award of subsidies for training and research in matters of interest to the Agency for the year 2024 is made public.

The study 3460 'Campaña de las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo 2024' is now available. They have at their disposal the microdata file, the marginal and crossing reports, and the technical documentation. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link indicated below.

The CIS (Spanish Centre for Sociological Research) presented the book 'The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks' by Scottish philosopher John Millar, translated into Spanish for the first time. The presentation was given by the president of the CIS, José Félix Tezanos, who was accompanied by the vice president and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, the Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford, Valpy Fitzgerald, and the director of Publications at the CIS, Rosario H. Sánchez.