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Spain’s shifting trends: sologamy and the Balearic driving examiner crisis
The rise of sologamy in Spain
A peculiar trend is gaining traction in Spain: sologamy, or marrying oneself. The latest example comes from Stephane Soriano, a politician from Benaguasil, near Valencia, who made headlines for hosting a lavish ceremony to marry himself. With friends and family in attendance, the event featured all the hallmarks of a traditional wedding—except for a second partner.
Sologamy, though not legally binding, is becoming increasingly popular in Spain. The 2020 film La Boda de Rosa (Rosa’s Wedding), starring Candela Peña, depicts this phenomenon, underscoring its growing cultural presence.
This trend reflects broader societal changes. Spain is now home to 14 million single people, according to 2023 statistics from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), with 52% being men and 48% women. A significant 80% of young Spaniards aged 18 to 25 report prioritizing self-care over relationships.
Relationship coach Patricia Navarro explains that societal attitudes, shaped by experiences of parental separations and exposure to casual dating culture through apps, have led many Spaniards, particularly Gen Z, to view singlehood as preferable to relationships. This detachment from traditional commitments has also contributed to Spain’s declining birth rate.
The country’s low fertility rate, combined with economic challenges, has prompted the government to adopt more migrant-friendly policies. Immigrants play a vital role in sustaining Spain’s economy and ensuring generational renewal in an aging nation.
The driving examiner crisis in the Balearic Islands
Meanwhile, a different issue is unfolding in the Balearic Islands, where obtaining a driving license has become an uphill battle. The region faces a severe shortage of driving examiners, with only 16 serving the archipelago’s 1.2 million residents.
The problem stems from high living costs in the islands, making it difficult to attract new examiners. Monthly rents in the Balearics average €1,640, with Palma de Mallorca reaching €2,987, according to property portal Idealista. In contrast, the net income of driving examiners ranges from €1,200 to €1,500, making relocation financially unviable.
This crisis mirrors challenges faced by other sectors, such as hospitality, where workers often resort to living in caravans or tents due to unaffordable housing. The summer season exacerbates the problem, as demand for driving tests surges while 10 of the 16 examiners are unavailable.
To worsen matters, eight examiners have requested transfers to mainland Spain, one plans to change roles, and another is preparing for retirement. With a backlog of 7,000 driving test candidates and no immediate solutions in sight, the situation highlights broader economic struggles in Spain.
The Balearic examiner shortage underscores the gap between stagnant wages and soaring living costs in popular regions like Palma, Madrid, and Barcelona. Without meaningful government intervention, the outlook for average workers in these areas remains bleak.