A significant political shift is underway among young people in Catalonia. This Catalan youth right-wing shift is characterised by a growing identification with the right, increased opposition to immigration, and a notable rejection of feminism among young men. These findings come from the latest annual survey by the ICPS.
The study, which has been conducted continuously since 1989, highlights a departure from recent trends. It suggests that the region’s youth are adopting more conservative stances on key social issues.
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A Surge in Right-Wing Identification
The survey reveals that men under the age of 34 are increasingly identifying with right-wing ideologies. Over the last five years, this positioning has risen by 20 per cent within this demographic. Meanwhile, the trend is not exclusive to men. In addition, women under the age of 25 have also shown a 17 per cent increase in identification with the right during the same period.
Hardening Stance on Immigration
One of the most striking findings concerns attitudes toward migration. The data shows that 63.7 per cent of the total Catalan population is now in favour of limiting the entry of immigrants. This represents a steep rise of nearly 20 percentage points compared to 2023, when support for such measures stood at 44.4 per cent.
According to the ICPS, this sentiment is particularly elevated among young men. Therefore, it correlates with the broader Catalan youth right-wing shift.
Oriol Bertomeus, director of the ICPS, contextualised these figures by drawing a comparison to historical data. “If we look at the data, we are almost at the same percentages we had in 1993, but since then there has been a tenfold increase in the foreign population,” he explained. Although the question was not asked consistently between 1993 and 2023, the resurgence of this sentiment marks a pivotal moment in Catalan public opinion. This is particularly significant considering Barcelona’s projected population growth.
The Gender Divide on Feminism
The survey also uncovers a deepening divide regarding gender equality. Half of the men surveyed under the age of 24 expressed disagreement with the concept of feminism that seeks equality between men and women. Consequently, this pushback aligns with broader global trends where young men are reportedly feeling alienated by progressive gender politics.
Independence Debate Loses Urgency
While social issues are seeing a polarising shift, the intensity of the debate surrounding Catalan independence appears to be cooling. When asked about their preference for the region’s future, 55.6 per cent of respondents stated they want Catalonia to remain part of Spain, compared to 38.1 per cent who favour independence.
Furthermore, the perceived importance of the territorial debate has dropped significantly. Only 23.1 per cent of those surveyed consider the independence debate ‘very important’, a sharp decline from 43.7 per cent in 2019.
The survey fieldwork was conducted between 13 October and 22 November. It utilised a sample of 2,000 eligible voters interviewed door-to-door. Bertomeus argues this method provides a high-quality snapshot of the electorate’s views.
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