Latest news from the CIS

The Resolution of the Presidency of the Center for Sociological Research is published, which makes public the awarding of grants for training and research in matters of interest to the Organization for the year 2025.

On August 1st , at 12:30 p.m., the preliminary results of the Consumer Confidence Index ( CCI ) will be available to all media and interested parties on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es). The ICC monthly assesses recent developments and expectations of Spanish consumers regarding their household finances, employment, and their savings and spending possibilities. For any questions, please call the Communications office at 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

The CIS has conducted its usual survey on public opinion and tax policy, asking Spaniards about tax payments, their knowledge of what those taxes are used for, and their income tax returns, among other things. 78.9% of citizens believe that taxes are not paid fairly, meaning that those with the most wealth don't pay more, while 19.1% believe they are collected fairly. 43.1% believe Spaniards are "not very aware but responsible" when it comes to paying taxes, 32.8% say they are "fairly aware and responsible," and only 6.3% believe they are "very aware and responsible" when it comes to paying taxes. When asked about themselves, 58.5% consider themselves “fairly aware and responsible” about paying taxes, and 33.9% consider themselves “very aware and responsible.” Fraud, struggle and tax pedagogy 90.1% believe there is "a lot or quite a lot" of tax fraud in Spain, and only 8% say there is "little or very little" fraud. The main effects of tax fraud according to citizens are that it creates injustices, since some have to pay what others fail to pay (35.4%), it reduces the resources to finance public services and social benefits (24.7%), and it discourages those who pay their taxes correctly (19.9%). 53.5% believe the Administration makes "little or very little" effort to combat tax fraud. 43.7% believe it makes "many or quite a few" efforts. 79.5% of Spaniards agree that "cheating the Treasury is cheating the rest of the citizens." 18.6% believe the government does "a lot or quite a lot" to explain where taxes are spent, compared to 79.2% who say it does "little or very little" effort. Taxes and their destination 54.4% of respondents agree that "taxes are necessary for the State to provide public services," but 30.6% believe that "taxes are something the State forces us to pay without really knowing what in return," and 13.1% believe that taxes "are a means to better redistribute wealth." Furthermore, Spaniards believe that the government allocates very few resources to housing (84.5%), 80% believe that little is allocated to research in science and technology, and 77.1% say that very few taxes are allocated to healthcare. On the other hand, 23.6% say too many resources are allocated to defense, 13.8% to unemployment protection, and 13.2% to public works. 48.6% say that governments allocate the necessary funds to transportation and communications, 46.5% to unemployment benefits, and 44.3% to social security and pensions. On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "improve public services, even if taxes are required" and 10 means "pay less taxes, even if public services are reduced," respondents averaged a score of 4.48. 18.1% ranked 0, 30.2% ranked 5, and 6.6% ranked 10. 40.3% believe that society benefits "a lot or quite a lot" from what we pay in taxes and contributions to public administrations, while 58% say that we benefit "little or not at all" as a society from these payments. Furthermore, 62% believe that the government gives them "less than they pay in taxes and contributions," the highest percentage in five years, along with 2022. 26.5% say "more or less the same as they pay," and 9.2% say "more than they pay." 48.4% of Spaniards say they pay a lot of taxes, 43% say they pay about average taxes, and only 6.9% say they pay little tax. Compared to Europe, 39.5% say they pay more taxes in Spain, 28.6% think they pay less taxes, and 20.7% think they pay the same. Regarding the method of tax collection, 63.3% believe it should be collected through direct taxes, such as personal income tax (based on the income or wealth of individuals and companies), and 29% through indirect taxes, such as VAT (which affect everyone equally). Income tax return 81.6% indicate they are required to file a tax return; of those, 34% owe a fee and 58.2% owe a refund. 23.9% of Spaniards say they have checked the box for social purposes to allocate taxes, 12.6% for social purposes and the church, 10.8% for the church, and 26.7% say they have not checked either box. 76.8% consider it “slightly or not at all likely” that their tax return will be reviewed, while 17.7% do consider it likely. 46.2% say that all or almost all people actually declare their income to the Treasury, 31.1% say that many people are legal when it comes to filing taxes, and 16.7% say that few people report their income truthfully. Reasons for hiding income 19.6% believe it's because the taxes owed to the Treasury are excessive, 18.9% say people hide part of their income because salaries are too low and they have to look for other ways to get money, and 17% attribute it to the fact that those with the most wealth avoid (or minimize) paying taxes. VAT 37.1% believe that "all or almost all people" declare all their income, 28.6% believe that quite a few people do so, and 24.9% say that "few people" declare all their VAT. 83% of citizens know that the general VAT rate in Spain is 21%, but 16.5% have responded with other rates or admit they don't know. Inequalities 49.4% believe that there are "major inequalities in general" in Spain, 42.6% say there are "some inequalities in some aspects," and only 6.6% believe there are "few inequalities." Regarding people's economic position, on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means their economic position depends exclusively on "their effort, education, and professional worth" and 10 on "family background, connections, or luck," the average is 5.41. 16.3% place themselves at 0, 17.4% at 5, and 12.8% at 10. The State and the Economy 47.2% of Spaniards believe that "the State should intervene in economic life, but respect private initiative"; 22.6% believe that "the State should not intervene in economic life, except to correct possible imbalances," while 16.6% believe that "the State should intervene in all economic life." A further 9.8% believe that "the State should not intervene in economic life; it should leave it in the hands of private initiative." Public services 76.2% admit they discuss the operation of public services with people close to them "very or fairly frequently," while 22.6% say they do so "infrequently or not at all." Regarding the functioning of some public services, 71.5% of Spaniards agree that the administration of justice functions "slightly or not at all satisfactorily," 61.9% point to the poor functioning of assistance for dependent persons, and 59.8% believe public works (roads, wastewater treatment plants, etc.) are not functioning well. On the other hand, 51.9% say public transport is working "very or fairly" satisfactorily, as is citizen security (50.6%), and 45.2% praise the way pensions are managed. Attitudes and behaviors Spaniards say they are quite happy, giving themselves an average score of 7.8 on a scale of 0 to 10 when asked. Regarding trust in people, with 0 being "you can never be too cautious" and 10 being "you can trust most people," those surveyed gave an average score of 5.41. Regarding attitudes and behaviors as good citizens, what respondents value most is “being a responsible and honest person” with an average of 9.37, followed by “respecting the opinions of others, even if they are different from one's own” (8.98) and in third place they value “always complying with the laws and regulations” with 8.76. 97.2% find it "hardly or not at all tolerable" to receive a social benefit to which one is not entitled (faking illness to obtain sick leave from work or collecting unemployment benefits when performing paid work), and 95.2% find it intolerant for a large company to evade or avoid paying corporate tax. These and other data are collected in this study conducted from July 7 to 16 with 4,004 interviews.

On July 29 , at 12:30 p.m. , the preliminary results of the study "Public Opinion and Fiscal Policy (XLII)" will be available to all media and interested parties on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es). For any questions, please call the Communications office at 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

The CIS has conducted a study on opinions and attitudes toward the European Union, which asks about knowledge of the institutions, the degree of belonging to, and the level of trust one has in the EU. 40 years since Spain's Treaty of Accession 73.2% of Spaniards believe that EU membership has been "rather positive" for Spain, but 20.4% believe it has been "rather negative." In contrast, 3.6% believe it is "neither positive nor negative." On a personal level, the indicators are similar: 73.8% believe it has been "rather positive," and 20% "rather negative." Furthermore, 65.3% say they are "very or fairly satisfied with these 40 years of membership in the European Union," and 32.6% are "somewhat or not at all" satisfied. 70.2% of Spaniards admit that news about the EU interests them "a lot or quite a lot," while 28.4% are "a little or not at all." Regarding whether or not they are informed about matters related to the EU, 48.9% say they are "very or quite informed," and 50.3% say they are "a little or not at all." 85% of citizens agree that the decisions made in the EU affect us "a lot or quite a lot," while only 11.3% believe they affect us "a little or not at all." Regarding the sense of belonging, 47.6% admit they feel as much a "European citizen as a Spanish citizen," 41.6% primarily a "Spanish citizen," and 4.9% primarily a "European citizen." Better or worse for Spain 81% of Spaniards say that EU membership is "rather beneficial" for culture, 77.3% for business opportunities, 73.5% for Spain's global presence, and 73.3% for job opportunities. Conversely, 53% of Spaniards say it is "rather detrimental" to the prices of goods and consumption, 36% for wages, and 27.6% for the development of the most disadvantaged regions. European Institutions The European Parliament is the best-known institution among Spaniards (95.1%), followed by the European Central Bank (92.9%) and the European Commission in third place (86%). As for the trust generated by institutions, all pass, but the Council of the European Union leads the way with 5.92 out of 10, followed by the European Central Bank with 5.91, the European Commission with 5.86, the European Council with 5.83, and the European Parliament - which is the best known - is the worst rated with 5.62. Future of the EU 29.7% consider the economy and employment to be the most important issues for the future of Europe, followed by democracy, its values and the rule of law (19.9%) and social protection and the welfare state for 16.4%. 87.3% support a policy of common rights and obligations in the EU, 81.7% agree that the common European foreign policy should be strengthened, and 78.4% believe that financial contributions should be made to fund a European welfare state. Fiscal policy in the EU 77.1% of respondents "strongly or somewhat agree" with the idea that those with the most wealth in the EU should pay more taxes, while 26.8% "slightly or not at all agree." Furthermore, 69.5% agree "strongly or somewhat" with the European Union agreeing on common fiscal rules for all member countries, while 27.1% agree "slightly or not at all." Here in Spain On the other hand, 71.2% strongly or somewhat agree that "The taxes we Spaniards pay should be the same throughout the country, regardless of the autonomous community of residence." While 26.8% disagree. Regarding Spain's public resources, 81.7% of respondents believe that "too few" resources are allocated to housing, 78.5% say that too few resources are allocated to scientific research, and 77.5% to healthcare. These and other data are collected in this study conducted from June 25 to 30 with 2,427 interviews.

On July 23 , at 12:30 p.m. , the preliminary results of the study "Opinions and Attitudes toward the European Union (II)" will be available to all media and interested parties on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es). For any questions, please call the Communications office at 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

Study 3517 'July 2025 Barometer' is now available. The microdata file, marginal and cross-reference reports, and technical documentation are available. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link below.

...The president of the CIS, José Félix Tezanos, and the professor of economics and member of parliament, Pedro Casares, accompanied the vice president. The Minister of Finance has highlighted...

Study 3522 ' Study on social inequalities ' is now available. The microdata file, marginal and cross-reference reports, and technical documentation are available. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link below.

Study 3511, 'Social Media Audience Study (II),' is now available. The microdata file, marginal and cross-reference reports, and technical documentation are available. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link below.

José Félix Tezanos, who inaugurated a course on inequalities in today's world this Monday at the Magdalena Palace, asserted that "if the problem of inequality is not addressed promptly and with social policies, the world is heading toward an unlivable future." Furthermore, the president of the CIS has warned that inequalities are "skyrocketing and increasing more than would be natural" and will be exacerbated by the current government of the wealthy in the United States. On this subject, he criticized the US for cutting off all development aid and assistance to address extreme needs, ending social assistance in his country. Also speaking today was Edmund Valpy Fitzgerald, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Oxford, who gave a presentation focusing on inequality and taxation. In the afternoon, a roundtable discussion on inequalities in the era of globalization was held, with the participation of Tezanos, Fitzgerald, and sociology professor Óscar Iglesias.

The CIS conducted its monthly poll with the usual questions about voting intentions, assessments of leaders, and other current issues such as the NATO summit at the end of June and international conflicts. In July, the PSOE is expected to reach an estimated 27% of the vote, while the Popular Party is expected to obtain 26.5%, VOX 18.9%, Sumar 7.8%, and Podemos 4.4%. Assessment of political leaders and preference as president Pedro Sánchez is the highest-rated political leader with an average score of 3.99, followed by Yolanda Díaz with 3.97; Alberto Núñez Feijóo with 3.83; and Santiago Abascal with 3.15. Regarding preference for Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez is the favorite for 34.4% of those surveyed who give their opinion, 17 points ahead of Alberto Núñez Feijóo who is the favorite for 17.4%, with the same percentage as Santiago Abascal (17.4%), Isabel Díaz Ayuso for 8.8% and Yolanda Díaz for 5.6%. Assessment of ministers The Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, is the highest-rated member of the entire Executive branch with a 5.13, followed by the Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, with a 5.04, and, in third place, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, with a 4.62. NATO 54.9% of Spaniards support Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's decision to limit defense spending to 2.1% of GDP, while 29.5% agree with Donald Trump's demand that all member states allocate 5% of their GDP. A further 10.7% disagree with either option. Furthermore, 57.5% support the Spanish government's refusal to comply with the US president's demands, while 34.7% believe it should comply. 58.4% believe each party should defend what it deems appropriate, while 34.6% believe all parties should support Pedro Sánchez's decision regarding NATO. 72.8% of respondents knew that allocating 5% of GDP would entail sharp tax increases and significant reductions in wages and social spending, and 18.9% said they didn't know what it would entail. International conflicts 77.1% say they are "very or quite concerned" about the bombings that have taken place between Israel and the US and Iran, 12.8% say they are "a little or not at all" concerned, and 8.9% say they are "somewhat" concerned. Regarding the war in the Middle East, 70.1% say they are “very or quite concerned,” 12.7% “a little or not at all,” and 15.1% say they are “somewhat concerned.” Problems in Spain The main problem currently existing in Spain, according to those surveyed, is housing (30%), followed by corruption and fraud, which is the main problem for 25.3%, and immigration, which is the main problem for 18.4%. When asked about the problems that personally affect respondents, the economic crisis and economic problems are in first place for 24.9%, housing (22.5%) and healthcare in third place for 22.1%. Economic situation 65.1% of Spaniards consider their current personal financial situation to be very good or good, compared to 23.5% who say it is bad or very bad. When asked about Spain's overall economic situation, 39.4% consider it very good or good, compared to 51.3% who say it is very bad or bad. These and other data are collected in the barometer conducted from July 1 to 7, with 4,018 interviews. The complete data can be found on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es).

By Order PJC/620/2024, of June 19, which approves the regulatory bases for the granting by the Center for Sociological Research of the National Prize for Sociology and Political Science, the granting of this Prize is regulated. This Prize will be awarded in recognition of academic, scientific, and professional contributions and career in the field of Sociology or Political Science.

On July 11 , at 12:30 p.m. , the preliminary results of the 'July 2025 Barometer' will be available to all media and interested parties on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es). For any questions, please call the Communications office at 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

Study 3509 ' Health Barometer 2025 (first wave) ' is now available. The microdata file, marginal and cross-reference reports, and technical documentation are available. You can access this study from the Study Catalog search engine or directly through the link below.

The CIS (Spanish National Statistics Institute) and the Ministry of Health have published the results of the first wave of the 2025 Health Barometer, a survey that provides key information on citizens' perceptions of the healthcare system. Overall assessment of the healthcare system and citizen satisfaction The overall assessment of the functioning of the public healthcare system in Spain remains stable compared to previous waves. According to data from the 2025 Health Barometer, 53.9% of the population considers the system to be functioning well or fairly well, while 45.1% believe it needs major or profound changes. This stability in overall perception coexists, however, with a certain polarization of opinions, reflecting public expectations and persistent challenges in areas such as waiting times and accessibility. When analyzing the opinions of people who have used public health services in the last 12 months, their perception improves significantly. 80.7% of the population reported having sought primary care and 44.7% had sought hospital care. At both levels of care, more than 80% of users positively rate the care received, reinforcing their confidence in the system based on direct experience. This contrast shows that the perception of the functioning of the healthcare system is more critical when it is not based on recent use of its services. In contrast, those who have accessed public healthcare report a high level of satisfaction, particularly highlighting the professionalism, security, and trust instilled by healthcare personnel. This difference suggests that direct experience with the system contributes to a more favorable and realistic view of its functioning. Assessment of services and levels of care The 061/112 emergency services (7.34 points) and inpatient hospital care (7.10) top the list of the highest-rated services. Primary care and inpatient consultations follow, although the latter are less satisfied. 80.7% of the population has visited a public primary care physician in the last 12 months, and 44.7% has been seen by a hospital specialist. At both levels of care, more than 80% of users positively rate the care received, highlighting the trust and security instilled by healthcare staff. In hospitalizations, 9.9% of the population has been admitted in the last year, and 81.4% rate their experience positively. In the emergency department, used by 48.4% of respondents, the satisfaction rate reaches 72.8%. Mental health 20.6% of the population has sought healthcare for mental health reasons in the past year. Of these, 52% sought care through public healthcare, 11.6% through private insurance, and 30.3% through direct payment. In the public sector, care was provided primarily by psychiatrists (38.6%), family doctors (37.5%), and psychologists (16.6%). 60.5% were satisfied with the care received, and 85.1% stated that it was the same or better than expected, although 24.3% reported that their condition had not improved. For the first time, the barometer explores access to certain diagnostic tests for a new health problem. 23.1% of the population reported having had an ultrasound, 16% a CT scan, 15.2% an MRI, and 4.8% a colonoscopy in the past year. Waiting times vary significantly: 54.9% of ultrasounds and 55.5% of CT scans were performed within a month of their order, while the percentage drops to 40.1% for colonoscopies. According to those interviewed, the latter test has the longest average wait time (113 days), compared to the average of 37 days for MRIs. Accessibility problems and inequalities 24.3% of the population reported having, at some point, had trouble accessing their family doctor. Of these cases, more than half ultimately went to the emergency room, while another 30% did not keep the appointment on the assigned date because they no longer needed care at that time. Coordination between levels of care receives a positive rating of 51.8%, and 34.1% of respondents believe the waiting list situation has worsened in the last year. In addition, 4.6% say they have had to stop taking a prescribed medication for financial reasons. Confidence in the public 19.7% of those interviewed have private health insurance, either for themselves or a family member, and 9.7% have it through their employer. This figure reflects that a portion of the population turns to private insurance, often seeking faster or more convenient access to certain health services. However, this choice does not necessarily imply a distrust of the public system; rather, it is often complementary. In fact, more than 60% of those with private health insurance believe that, when faced with a serious health problem, public healthcare would offer better treatment. This data confirms that, even among those with private coverage, there is still a high level of confidence in the public system's ability to resolve cases. The perception of safety, effectiveness, and professional quality consolidates public healthcare as the primary reference point for addressing complex clinical situations. Digital technologies in health and artificial intelligence perception 32.7% of the population has accessed their medical records through the public health system, while 34.4% are unaware of this option, and 20.6% do not have or know how to use digital means. 49.7% of citizens use an electronic certificate for administrative procedures, which facilitates access to services such as electronic medical records. The NHS's interoperable electronic prescription system is known by 66.2% of the population, but only 20.3% have used this feature. Furthermore, 43.2% are aware that their medical records can be consulted by healthcare professionals in other autonomous communities if they need medical care. Regarding artificial intelligence, 53.4% have heard about its application in healthcare. The majority are in favor of patients being informed about its use (85.5%), and of being able to opt out of having their data used in its development (77.5%). 68% consider it necessary to specifically legislate on the use of AI in healthcare. This edition was compiled based on 2,452 interviews conducted in April of this year.

On July 9 , starting at 12:30 p.m. , the study 'Health Barometer 2025 (first wave)' will be available to all media and interested parties on the website of the Center for Sociological Research (www.cis.es). You can access this study from the CIS website via the "Study Catalog." For any questions, please call the Communications office at 91 580 76 25 / 664 470 083.

On the final day of the course "Democracy and Public Opinion in the 21st Century," sociologist and former minister Manuel Castells spoke about communication and democracy in today's societies, accompanied by the president of the CIS (National Center for the Study of the Spanish Civil Service), José Félix Tezanos. We were also visited by the Secretary of State for Education, Abelardo de la Rosa, who spoke about democracy and equality.

On this second day of the course, the changes and challenges facing current democracies will be analyzed by speakers Javier García Fernández, who will discuss the challenge of governance in 20th-century democracies, and Rosario García Mahamut, who will discuss parliamentary fragmentation and political stability.  

The CIS has organized the summer course "Democracy and Public Opinion in the 21st Century" in collaboration with the Complutense University of Madrid. On this first day of the course, the institution's president, José Félix Tezanos, gave a lecture on democracy and public opinion. Also speaking today are journalists Javier Ruiz and Ana Pardo de Vera, and sociologist and researcher Óscar Iglesias, who will discuss the right to truthful information in today's democracy.