Spanish Youth in 2026: More Conservative, Less Democratic, and Harder on Immigration Than Ever

Fundación SM has published the report "Young Spaniards 2026," based on a survey of 1,662 young people aged 15 to 29, conducted in March and April 2025. The findings document a notable shift in the values and attitudes of the younger generation across a range of issues — from migration to gender roles and trust in democracy.

The most striking changes concern attitudes toward immigration. In 2025, 72% of young Spaniards believe migrants should adapt to Spanish customs — up from 47% in 2020. 59% of those surveyed are convinced that migrants receive too many benefits, compared to just 30% in 2020. Report co-author Ariana Pérez warns that "a discourse linking migration to security threats is becoming entrenched in society." At the same time, 51% of young people acknowledge that Spain needs migrants to maintain its standard of living.

In the political sphere, trust in democracy has fallen sharply. Today, around 60% of young Spaniards support democracy as a system — down from more than 80% in 2019. 68% of young people report low or zero satisfaction with how it functions. Meanwhile, 55.8% agree that "a firm hand is sometimes needed, even if freedoms have to be sacrificed," and 47.4% allow that an authoritarian regime could deliver more peaceful coexistence.

Over the past five years, the share of young people who identify as right-wing or centre-right has grown by nearly 14 percentage points, while the share identifying as left-wing has fallen by around 12 points. Content creators are playing an increasingly visible role in shaping political views: 50.5% of young people actively follow influencers, 68% broadly share their perspectives, and 32% admit to having changed their opinion under their influence.

The report also records a rise in traditional attitudes among Spanish youth. 65.4% of men and 67% of women consider women more emotionally sensitive — a figure up 19 points since 2021. 52.5% of men and 45.1% of women agree that nobody raises children better than women. 66% believe that some women exploit equality arguments to gain privileges, 60% think women use their attractiveness to manipulate others, and 54% feel that women exaggerate sexism.

When it comes to life priorities, health tops the list (75%), followed by family (71.8%), money (59.7%), and leisure time (56.2%). The report notes a marked increase in the importance of material things over ideals. "The combination of an almost obsessive rise in the importance of money and the decline of great idealistic values creates the image of a hedonistic generation that has abandoned high ideals," says report co-author Juan M. González-Anleo.