Regional disparities and social deprivation in Spain: a NUTS2-level analysis using the DP2 methodology

Abstract

Between 2019 and 2023, Spain faced a sequence of major socioeconomic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, and rising inflationary pressures. These events interacted with pre-existing territorial inequalities, producing persistent and spatially uneven patterns of material and social deprivation. This paper investigates regional disparities in deprivation across Spanish NUTS2 regions over the period 2019–2023 by constructing a multidimensional composite indicator based on the DP2 methodology (Peña, 1977; Somarriba & Peña, 2009). The study pursues three objectives: (i) to operationalize deprivation through a coherent set of harmonized indicators derived from EU-SILC and Eurostat regional statistics; (ii) to compute a DP2-based index that reduces redundancy among correlated indicators through an iterative correction mechanism; and (iii) to identify persistent spatial gradients and crisis-related changes in deprivation levels across regions. The results highlight a stable north–south divide, with southern and insular territories systematically displaying higher deprivation scores and confirm the sensitivity of regional deprivation to external shocks, particularly in regions dependent on vulnerable economic sectors. The findings provide policy-relevant evidence supporting the need for place-based and multidimensional strategies aimed at strengthening territorial cohesion and reducing social vulnerability.