The Region of Murcia currently has the highest rate of child poverty in Spain, with more than 122,000 children living in low-income households. A recent study by the Social Exclusion Observatory of the University of Murcia (UMU) reveals that 40.7% of children in the region are affected, far above the national average of less than 30%.
“This isn’t just about children in poverty, but families in poverty who have children,” said Manuel Hernández, director of the Observatory, during his address on Monday before the Regional Assembly’s Special Commission on Poverty and Social Exclusion.
He emphasized the severity of the situation and the region’s persistent struggle with some of the worst social indicators in Spain, particularly in housing, child poverty, and early school leaving.
WORSENING SOCIAL EXCLUSION
Hernández presented new findings from the 2024 Living Conditions Survey (ECV), showing that 32.4% of Murcia’s population faces social exclusion—significantly higher than the national average of 25.8%. This marks an increase of 32,000 people in just one year, bringing the total to over half a million Murcians, or one-third of the region’s population, living in exclusion.
One alarming trend highlighted by Hernández is that having children now increases the risk of exclusion: families with two adults and two children show a 40.6% exclusion rate. Even among the employed, 21% still live below the poverty line.
EDUCATION: A KEY CHALLENGE
In terms of education, Murcia also lags behind. The early school leaving rate stands at 19.2%, well above the national average (13.7%) and more than double the European average (9.5%). In contrast, areas like the Basque Country and Navarre report dropout rates of just over 6%.
Hernández attributed this issue in part to low educational investment. Murcia spends €6,190 per non-university student, compared to €11,000 in the Basque Country. “We are among the regions that invest the least in education—only Madrid spends less—and that is reflected in our poor PISA results,” he noted.
A CALL FOR STRUCTURAL REFORM
Hernández urged a comprehensive overhaul of Murcia’s social protection and education systems, pointing out that the region also ranks below average in social spending (€300 per resident vs. €360 nationally).
He criticized the incompatibility between the regional basic income and the national Minimum Living Income, which leaves many families without access to either benefit.
However, he noted that the Directorate General for Social Policy is currently drafting a new Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, in collaboration with academics and social organizations. “It’s an ambitious plan with bold, much-needed proposals. Now it needs funding and genuine political will,” he concluded.
POLITICAL REACTIONS
From the PSOE, MP Toñi Abenza praised the Observatory’s work and its contribution to highlighting “the human face of poverty.” She called for efforts to target the structural roots of exclusion, especially as they impact families in Murcia.
VOX MP Antonio Martínez acknowledged the clarity of the report but warned that poverty is now embedded in the region’s social fabric. He emphasized the need to manage the issue without political bias, noting that both PSOE- and PP-led regions face similar challenges.
His colleague, Virginia Martínez (VOX), criticized the Observatory for failing to address economic policies she believes contribute to poverty, such as tax hikes, the Housing Law, the 2030 Agenda, and rising energy costs.
From the People’s Party (PP), Miguel Ángel Miralles admitted the region has regressed, now matching Extremadura in exclusion rates. However, he questioned whether the situation is irreversible and emphasized that employment, not just welfare, is the key to lifting people out of poverty. “People don’t escape exclusion through public aid, but through access to decent work,” he stated.
