Madrid leads life expectancy in the EU but faces a housing crisis due to its success

The Community of Madrid is the region with the highest life expectancy in the entire European Union: 85.7 years, according to Eurostat data, surpassing the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, both in the wealthy north of Italy. The following Spanish are Castilla y León, the Basque Country and Navarra, all of them over 84.7 years. 12 months apart. And if we look at another relevant data, which is the expected years of life upon reaching 65, the leadership is confirmed with a figure of 23.3 years. That is, a Madrid resident who has just retired will live, on average, to be 88.2 years old. That on the one hand.

On the other hand, the Community of Madrid has received a lot of foreign immigration in recent years seeking a better life. It is not the region with the highest absolute data, in fact, Catalonia surpasses it in this section and, in addition, presents a negative balance compared to other autonomous communities. But even so, the numbers of people arriving in the region in absolute terms remain among the highest in the EU.

And to this we must add that more and more households are made up of a single person. According to the Madrid Executive's own data, the number of this type of houses and flats has increased by more than 6% in recent years, above the total growth of 4.9% registered in the Community and the 5.9% increase in households consisting of two people.

So we have three critical factors for housing. First, people are living longer and, consequently, their homes remain occupied for longer, thus reducing the number of apartments and houses available. Second, the region and the city of Madrid have received many people in recent years who, obviously, need a place to live. And third, that households are made up of fewer and fewer people.

All of this makes up a bomb for housing that has no comparison in the European Union. It is the consequence, of course, of being a place with many attractive job opportunities, a city that welcomes like no other those who come from another region or another country willing to contribute, and, of course, of being one of the most fun large cities in Europe and, I would dare say, in the world.

It is difficult to find any other place that brings together: two world-class soccer teams; a Formula 1 Grand Prix; a tennis Masters 1,000 that looks the Grand Slam in the eye; the most successful basketball team in Europe even despite the political orientation of its coach; a Pride that is a reference in Europe; the Book Fair; hundreds of music concerts; and, of course, the indie afternoons, El Amante and an endless gastronomic offer.

The risk is that the city and the Community will die of success and end up expelling a significant part of the population, yes. And in part it is already happening. But in the meantime, you lucky ones, enjoy Madrid.

Good weekend.