The Need for Residential Care in Spain

Many countries are facing the problems of an aging population, as people around the world get older and families are having fewer children.

By 2050, Spain will have the highest average age in the world. The vast majority, figures suggest over 75%, of pensioners in Spain currently live with family or in their own home, a high proportion by European standards. However this situation is rapidly changing and today’s generation have their own homes, look after their own families, their own children, and work commitments mean they don’t have time to care for their elderly relatives.

Residential care for the elderly is therefore growing in popularity. Moving away from home into private residential care is the reality for a growing number of pensioners in Spain. However, with more people living longer, the main problem is dealing with the demand: waiting lists are long and demand easily outstrips supply.

Life Expectancy SpainLife expectancy growth in Spain (male and female) over the last 100 years

 

As the proportion of people over 65 keeps growing, and the birth rate keeps slowing, government predictions are that the proportion of pensioners will rise to 20% by 2010.

Overall Demographics in Spain (est. 2007)

  • 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 3,423,861/female 3,232,028)
  • 15-64 years: 69.1% (male 16,185,5575/female 15,683,433)
  • 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 3,238,301/female 4,394,624)