In Valencia, a large share of retirees faces poverty, with a study revealing that more than 396,000 people in the region live below the poverty line. The data shows a gendered pattern: while 23% of men retire in poverty, a striking 53% of women do. Many retirees struggle to cover monthly expenses, including housing costs, and keeping homes adequately heated emerges as a significant challenge reinforced by the numbers. The findings come from a study by CC OO Valencia highlighting the vulnerable financial situation of the elderly and stressing housing affordability and energy use as critical issues.
Ana Belén Montero, secretary of Public Policy and Social Protection for CC OO PV, together with Juan Sepúlveda and Evaristo Soto, presidents of the national and regional Pensioners federations, presented the results of the Observatory on Social Senior Citizens 2022. The study aims to provide a clear snapshot of older adults’ living conditions, health status, sources of economic and social protection, and the specific risks associated with aging. The goal is to illuminate gaps and guide policy responses that protect this population.
Spain is among the oldest countries in Europe, a factor that should inform discussions about pension fairness and gender pay gaps extending into retirement. In Valencia, life expectancy stands at 86 for men and 90 for women, a statistic that frames ongoing questions about pension distribution and gender discrimination in benefits. The report emphasizes the persistent risk of poverty in later life and the disproportionate impact on women, underscoring the need for targeted support and reform.
The study notes that a substantial portion of retirees, 38.9%, live below the poverty line, with incomes under 681 euros per month and a pronounced effect on women. An additional 17.1% experience severe poverty, earning less than 458 euros, of which about 70% are female. These figures point to structural vulnerabilities that require coordinated social and economic policy responses to prevent further hardship during retirement.
CC OO welcomes a recently reached agreement between unions and the central government. The pact includes measures designed to bolster protections and to mitigate the ways wage differentials affect pension outcomes, reducing the transfer of inequality into retirement benefits. The emphasis is on smoothing gaps and ensuring a more just safety net for older residents.
The study also highlights access to essential needs, including energy. It finds that 9.4% of the elderly cannot keep their homes warm enough, while 4.4% face delays in paying main housing costs, and over 30% lack enough savings to cover unforeseen expenses. Evaristo Soto notes that this combination risks social exclusion, poorer health, and a diminished quality of life for many seniors.
Reforming pensions and housing in the Alicante region
A key point from Montero is the need to implement approved changes in the Valencia care model, with particular attention to residential care facilities. Available data indicate a significant gap in bed capacity, with about 16,366 beds needed to reach a 4.3% vacancy level and 23,485 beds to reach a 5% target set by the World Health Organization. Of the 234 healthcare facilities in the Community, 254 are private and only 70 public, highlighting the mix of public and private provision.
Valencia also shows 2.4 hospital beds per thousand people, below the national average of three, and health expenditure per person around 1,701 euros, aligning with the country-wide figure. The conversation centers on strengthening primary care and bridging the digital divide to improve coordination in health and social services, with a push to expand geriatrics and psychology resources as part of a broader reform.
In Alicante, residents face high housing costs relative to incomes. A study by the Infojobs platform using 2022 data shows that the average renter in Alicante devotes about 6.4 years’ worth of gross salary to mortgage payments. The typical 80-square-meter home costs roughly 143,111 euros, while average gross annual income is about 22,208 euros. This combination underscores the challenge of housing affordability in the region, with Alicante ranking among the more burdensome provinces for real estate costs. Other regions show varying experiences, from higher mortgage burdens in the Balearic Islands and Madrid to comparatively shorter payment horizons in provinces like Jaén.
The takeaway is clear: housing affordability remains a major issue for residents, influencing decisions about mobility, retirement planning, and overall financial security. The comparison across regions highlights how local market realities shape the ability to own or rent homes, the duration of mortgage commitments, and the pressure felt by families as they plan for retirement.