Spain’s overall quality of life index increased slightly in 2024, reaching 101.47 points, compared with 101.20 in 2023, according to the Multidimensional Quality of Life Indicator (IMCV) published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE). The improvement is attributed to better results in areas such as health, employment and education.
However, the new figures also reveal significant territorial differences. The regions with the highest quality of life are:
- Navarre – 105.19 points
- La Rioja – 103.91 points
- Basque Country – 103.74 points
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Canary Islands recorded the lowest score in the country, with 99.38 points, followed closely by Andalusia (99.54) and Galicia (99.67).
What the indicator measures
The IMCV analyses several dimensions of daily life, including:
- Material living conditions
- Work and employment
- Health
- Education
- Safety
- Environment
- Leisure and social relationships
- General life experience
According to the report, most dimensions showed improvement in 2024, particularly material conditions, employment, health, education, safety and environmental quality. However, two key dimensions worsened: leisure and social relationships, and overall personal life experience.
Regional performance
Above the national average were:
- Cantabria (103.42)
- Aragón (103.39)
- Balearic Islands (103.13)
- Asturias (102.90)
- Madrid (102.28)
- Castile and León (102.51)
- Valencian Community (102.27)
- Castile–La Mancha (101.11)
- Extremadura (101.43)
- Catalonia (101.31)
- Region of Murcia (100.36)
Below the average:
- Galicia (99.67)
- Andalusia (99.54)
- Canary Islands (99.38)
- Autonomous Cities: Melilla (98.95) and Ceuta (97.91)
Regional strengths
- Navarre excels in health, leisure and social relations, environment, and overall life satisfaction.
- The Basque Country stands out in material living conditions and education.
- The Balearic Islands lead in employment indicators.
- Asturias scores highest in physical and personal safety.
- The Valencian Community performs best in governance and basic rights.
The Canary Islands: improvement, but still last
Although the Canary Islands showed one of the largest improvements compared with 2023 (+0.65 points), the region remains at the bottom of the national list. Previous reports have already highlighted structural problems in the archipelago, including:
- Lower average wages
- Longer working hours
- Increased cost of living, particularly housing
Despite progress, these factors continue to weigh down the overall score.
