We analyze the diversity of Basque social reality through the Sociometer. - Ikerfel

For more than three years, Ikerfel has been collaborating with the Basque Government’s Sociological Research Office in conducting the Basque Sociometer, a key study for understanding the evolution of public opinion in the Basque Country.

The Basque Sociometer is a periodic barometer that measures citizen perceptions on key issues such as trust in institutions, the economic situation, the labor market, cultural identity, and quality of life in the Basque Country.

For the Basque Government, this analysis is essential for:

Designing public policies aligned with citizen expectations.
Anticipating changes in social perception and adjusting strategies.
Evaluating the impact of government measures over time.

In this context, the Basque Government‘s primary need was to ensure that the data collected accurately, representatively, and continuously reflected changes in Basque society. Ikerfel has played a key role in ensuring the rigor of the process and generating high-value insights.

imagen aerea de san sebastian y la bahia de la concha

Applied Methodology.

To carry out this study, the following methodology was applied:

Telephone interviews (CATI Ikerfel Survey System).

Quantitative Research:

Individual computer-assisted telephone interview (Ikerfel CATI Survey System), using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire, conducted with a representative sample of the population (18+) of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country.

Sample:

3,485 interviewees.General population, 18 years and older.Sampling error: ±1.7%

Fieldwork:

Three annual waves.

We conduct in-depth research into the perceptions, attitudes, and values of Basque citizens on key issues such as the political, economic, and employment situation.

Key issues for Basque society.

The latest results of the Basque Sociometer (November 2026) highlight some of the key issues facing Basque society:

Housing, the main concern: 72% of citizens identify access to housing as one of the main problems facing the Basque Country, up 12 percentage points from the previous survey and reaching the highest level in the historical series.
Employment becomes less of a concern: The labour market concerns 40% of the population and remains the second most frequently mentioned problem, well behind housing.
Growing economic concerns: Economic issues are a personal concern for 27% of citizens, ahead of housing (26%) and employment (21%).
Strong support for institutions: Universities (81%), the Basque Government (72%), provincial councils (67%) and local councils (61%) stand out for their levels of public trust.
Distrust of political parties: Only 13% of the population express trust in political parties, compared with 20% who trust the Spanish Congress of Deputies.
Attitudes towards independence remain largely unchanged: 23% of citizens support independence, while 40% oppose it and 31% say their position depends on the circumstances.

You can check the latest reports here.