Almost 90 percent of Spaniards are worried about drought or insufficient rainfall, and more than 82 percent believe that human activity has had a significant or noticeable impact on this situation, according to the May barometer from the Center for Sociological Studies (CIS).
The survey, which interviewed 4,030 Spaniards, shows that 53.1 percent are worried about drought “a lot” and 36.1 percent “quite a lot”. By contrast, 10.2 percent are minimally concerned, and 8.1 percent show only slight concern, with 2.1 percent reporting no concern at all.
Human impact on drought
The CIS May barometer also asked respondents about whether human actions — industries, transportation, emissions, construction, and consumption — contribute to drought. In this regard, 51.3 percent believe human activity has affected drought “a lot” while 30.9 percent say it has affected it “somewhat”. A smaller share, 10.9 percent, feels it has little impact, and 3.8 percent think it has no effect at all.
One striking forecast notes that drought conditions are expected to worsen in the future, as reflected by the public perception of ongoing environmental stress.
Moreover, 70.7 percent of Spaniards have changed some daily practices to conserve water, compared with 29 percent who did not alter their routine.
Spaniards adapt their habits
Among the main changes in daily routines, 68.6 percent now take showers instead of baths, and 36.1 percent are making a conscious effort to use water-using appliances like washing machines and dishwashers more efficiently. A common measure is placing a bucket to collect water while waiting for hot water, later used for watering plants or bathing, which 27.7 percent of the population has adopted. Another widely adopted step involves minimizing water flow by installing flow reducers on faucets or efficient shower heads, a measure followed by 25.8 percent, with an additional 18 percent reducing toilet usage or capacity to cut water consumption.
From a broader perspective, among those who changed their habits, 78 percent of the 2,850 respondents — part of the total 4,000+ participants — reported taking showers rather than baths, and 42.5 percent use water-using devices more efficiently, with 22.4 percent collecting water in a bucket for later use when hot water is delayed.
When looking at where the largest water use occurs, 43.3 percent of respondents identify agriculture as the biggest consumer, while 40.6 percent place industry in that position. About 30.5 percent believe tourism and theme parks drive significant water use, followed by 26.4 percent who point to households as a major consumer. A smaller share, 22.4 percent, attributes the primary water demand to homes themselves.
Overall, the CIS data illustrate a nation aware of water scarcity and actively pursuing practical changes to reduce consumption and adapt to drier conditions. As observers note, the relationship between everyday behavior and environmental stress is increasingly acknowledged in surveys and policy discussions alike.
[Official CIS May 2025 report attributed to the Center for Sociological Studies, with data summarized for public awareness by the research team]