Number of hate crimes reported by reason in Spain 2023

Hate crimes continue to be a significant issue in Spain, with racism and xenophobia accounting for the majority of reported incidents in 2023. Out of 2,150 total hate crimes reported that year, 856 cases were attributed to racism or xenophobia, representing over 41 percent of all incidents. This was followed by crimes related to sexual orientation or identity, which accounted for 522 cases, or 23 percent of the total. 

Trends in hate crime reporting

While racism and xenophobia remain the most prevalent motivators for hate crimes in Spain, the number of reported cases has fluctuated in recent years. Between 2017 and 2022, reported cases of racism nearly doubled, from 347 to 740. However, 2023 saw a decrease to 569 cases. Similarly, religion-related hate crimes peaked in 2017 with 103 cases, dropping to 55 in 2023. 

Addressing hate crimes

Spanish authorities have shown varying degrees of success in solving hate crimes. In 2023, 71.81 percent of all reported hate crimes were solved. Notably, 100 percent of cases involving generational discrimination were resolved, while 66 percent of religion-related crimes were solved. Despite these efforts, discrimination remains a widespread concern, particularly among young people. A 2023 survey revealed that the majority of young Spaniards had experienced discrimination at least once in their lives, with physical appearance and age being the most common reasons cited.