Although the average income in Andalucía is increasing, salaries are not providing sufficient financial coverage.

According to a survey, despite an increase in per capita income, inflation has caused more people to struggle to pay their energy and grocery bills.

The 2022 Living Conditions Survey revealed a mix of good and bad news for Andalucía's economy. On the positive side, the improvement of employment and salaries led to an increase in per capita income, pushing it up by almost 8% to 10,703 euros per person per year, which is a new all-time maximum. The increase was greater than the national average of 6%, and it puts the region above the 10,000-euro threshold for the first time.

Additionally, the poverty rate in Andalucía has reduced, with 29.1% of the population below the poverty line in 2021, compared to 32.3% in 2020. The proportion of people at risk of poverty was also lower, which is a relative indicator of inequality.

However, despite these improvements, inflation has caused more people to struggle to make ends meet. The survey revealed an increase in energy and food poverty, with more people struggling to keep their homes at an adequate temperature and afford regular meat or fish in their diet. This can be attributed to the rise in prices, especially for food and energy, leading to more people having difficulty making their salaries stretch to the end of the month.

The survey also highlighted that 45% of those interviewed would not be able to meet unexpected expenses, while 6.2% cannot afford to own a car. These results suggest that although the average income has increased, there are still many people in Andalucía who are struggling to achieve financial stability.

Overall, the survey indicates that there has been progress in Andalucía's economy, with an increase in per capita income and a reduction in the poverty rate. However, the rise in inflation is a concern, as it is making it difficult for many people to pay their bills and meet unexpected expenses. This highlights the need for policies to address the issue of rising prices and ensure that everyone in Andalucía can achieve financial stability.