One in Four Students Faces Vulnerability

Barcelona City Council's Education Councillor, Sara Belbeida, announced on Wednesday 21st October 2026 that 42,252 students in compulsory education in the city are in vulnerable situations, representing 25% of the student population. She presented the data during the Commission for Social Rights, Culture and Sports as part of the back-to-school report. Belbeida stated that the figure reflects improved detection of vulnerability rather than a sudden increase, and noted that 9,600 students have specific needs A, 1,000 more than the previous academic year.

School Segregation and Social Mix

The councillor highlighted that 91% of Barcelona's schools now have a balanced social composition relative to their catchment areas, a significant improvement from the 2016–2017 academic year when only half met this benchmark. This progress aligns with the 2019 Shock Plan Against School Segregation and the 2021 Admissions Decree, both aimed at reducing educational inequality. According to the Education Opportunities Report 2024, commissioned by the city and compiled by Institut Metròpoli, students in vulnerable situations have improved their academic results by an average of 6% since the 2020–2021 academic year, despite overall standardised test scores declining across Catalonia.

  • 255,802 students are enrolled in compulsory and post-compulsory education in Barcelona
  • 46.2% attend public schools, the rest private or state-subsidised institutions
  • Barcelona hosts 20% of Catalonia’s total student population
These figures show progress, but also the persistent reality of inequality that we must continue to address.

Nursery Demand Still Outstrips Supply

On early childhood education, Belbeida reported that municipal nurseries met 68% of demand by the end of September 2026, leaving 32% of applying families without a place. This marks a slight improvement from the 65–66% coverage recorded during the 2024–2025 academic year, as noted in the city council’s educational equity report. The highest demand was for children aged 2 to 3 years, particularly in Les Corts, Sant Martí, and Sant Andreu. Ciutat Vella met the highest proportion of demand at 76%, followed by Sant Martí (73.5%), Sant Andreu (71%), and Horta-Guinardó (67.5%).

Music Education Uptake Continues

Belbeida also confirmed that 3,200 students have enrolled in the city’s five municipal music schools this academic year, studying across 30 specialisations. An additional 505 students are attending the Conservatori Municipal de Música.

Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by larazon.es, La Razón Cataluña.