What Spain does well and badly compared with other developed countries

Key rules

• Biggest strengths: Health, life expectancy, lifestyle, safety, infrastructure and lower costs than northern Europe.
• Biggest weaknesses: Unemployment, low pay against housing costs, slow bureaucracy and limited English.
• Work: Local job prospects are weaker than the lifestyle suggests, especially for young people and outside the big cities.
• Rankings: Surveys and rankings change each year, so treat positions as a rough guide.

The short version

Spain is strong on health, daily life, safety and cost compared with northern Europe. It is weak on jobs, pay, housing in big cities and paperwork. If you bring your own income or a remote job, the strengths count for more. If you plan to find work locally, the weaknesses count for more.

What Spain does well

• Health and life expectancy. Public healthcare is widely seen as good and accessible. Life expectancy is among the highest in the world in OECD and Eurostat data.
• Climate and outdoor life. Mild weather and a street-and-terrace culture shape everyday life.
• Social life. Expat surveys rank Spain high for quality of life, leisure and how easy it is to make friends. Locals are generally seen as welcoming.
• Safety. Everyday life is considered safe compared with many other developed countries.
• Infrastructure. High-speed rail and airports are a particular strength.
• Cost of living. Rent and groceries are moderately cheap compared with Western Europe and the US.

What Spain does badly

• Unemployment. Spain has had one of the highest rates in the EU, although it has fallen sharply. By late 2025 it was near 10%, the lowest since 2008. The EU average is about 5.9%. Germany is about 3.5-4%, France about 7.5%, Italy about 6% and Portugal about 6.3%. Youth unemployment is around 24-25%, about double the EU average. Regional rates vary widely, and Andalusia, Extremadura and the Canary Islands are highest.
• Temporary work. A high share of jobs are temporary, and the labour market is split between secure and insecure contracts.
• Pay. Average full-time wages are roughly 45,000-50,000 USD a year (OECD, adjusted for purchasing power). That compares with about 55,000-60,000 for Germany and France. Portugal is lower. The monthly minimum wage was about 1,184 euros in 2025, paid in 14 payments, which is mid-range for the EU.
• Housing. Pay is low relative to housing costs, and big cities and tourist areas are squeezed hardest.
• Bureaucracy. Expat surveys repeatedly score Spain poorly on administration and slow paperwork. Allow extra time for every official step.
• Language. Little English is spoken by locals, so expect to need Spanish for daily life and offices.
• Productivity and education. International bodies flag weak productivity growth, a mismatch between workers' skills and jobs, and early school leaving.

How happy are people?

Spain sits in the middle of European countries on life satisfaction. In the World Happiness Report it typically ranks about 30th-40th, with a score of about 6.4-6.5 out of 10. That is below the Nordic countries, the Netherlands and Germany. It is similar to or above Italy and Portugal (about 6.0-6.1). OECD data show strong health and social-connection scores but weak jobs and income scores.

How to use this

Match the list to your situation. Healthcare, tax and safety questions are answered in the quick answers below. Costs and rules differ by region and city, so check your own destination before deciding.

Quick answers on healthcare, tax and safety in Spain

How many people in Spain hold private health insurance as well as public cover?

About 25 to 27 percent of people in Spain hold private health insurance on top of public cover, roughly 12 to 13 million people. Many of these policies are provided by an employer or come with civil-service jobs. Public healthcare remains the main system, so private cover is an add-on for shorter waits, not a must.

Is Spain's overall tax burden higher than in other developed countries?

Spain's tax burden is a little above the OECD average but below Germany, France and Italy. The tax wedge for a single average earner is about 39%, against an OECD average of roughly 35%, and employer social contributions are relatively high. The UK and the US sit lower, at about 31% and 30%.

Is everyday life in Spain safe compared with your home country?

Yes, Spain has a low rate of violent crime, but petty theft and scams are the main everyday risks. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are most common in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and tourist areas. Summer heat waves and wildfires, and autumn flash floods, are the other risks to plan for. The emergency number is 112.