UN Expert Investigates Poverty, Inequality in Spain

Half of Spain’s population has trouble making ends meet. (Flickr)

The UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty, Philip Alston, is visiting Spain on a 12-day tour to investigate how the country is addressing inequality, starting on January 27 in Madrid. He will evaluate how unemployment, education, and healthcare systems work for those who are in poverty. 

Alston will also visit regions such as Galicia, the Basque country, Andalucía, and Catalonia. He said that he will specifically look at the housing crisis, female and youth unemployment, and the conditions for migrants, children, and those with disabilities. 

In Spain, the fifth largest economy in Europe, 26.1 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty or social exclusion, especially children, migrants, and the Roma. Spain’s unemployment rate is 14.1 percent, double than the EU average. Around half of the population has difficulties making ends meet. 

“I think there’s no shortage of statistical indicators to suggest that Spain has significant problems in terms of its less well-off population,” said Alston.

Alston’s visit comes right after the formation of the first Spanish coalition government since the 1930s to consist of two left-leaning parties. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vows that he will improve social justice and inequality. 

“The timing, which is fortuitous in a sense, turns out to be very good with a newish government settling in and with a clear commitment to trying to improve things in these areas,” suggested Alston. 

In the wake of the financial crisis, Alston will also look into the Spanish government’s efforts to tackle inequality and poverty. Considering the current situation, Alston believes it is key to focus on income distribution instead of emphasizing overall economic growth. 

This will be Alston’s last official mission as UN special rapporteur, an independent expert position appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. He has conducted such fact-finding missions on poverty and inequality in numerous countries, including the U.K. and the U.S. 

“It may well be that now is the time to pay a lot more attention to issues of distribution because while the overall economy is certainly doing well, it’s not so clear that those in the bottom 50 percent or lower have seen the real benefits of the economic recovery. I think it’s going to be important to look at more focused policies that can ensure that the good news is more widely shared,” said Alston.