Social profiles and response patterns during the 2025 Iberian Peninsula power outage. The case of Spain

Abstract

On April 28, 2025, a large-scale power outage disrupted essential services across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of southern France, leaving more than 50 million people without electricity. The event affected critical infrastructures such as transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare, raising concerns about the population’s resilience in the face of unexpected crises. This study focuses on the case of Spain, using data from a representative flash survey conducted after the power outage, and analyzes the population’s response with statistical techniques for categorical data, specifically multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The analysis focuses on three main aspects: emotional impact (fear), material preparedness (emergency kit), and access to information. The results reveal marked differences among social groups. Young adults, women, and the unemployed reported greater emotional vulnerability, while older and inactive individuals were less emotionally affected. Preparedness was also unevenly distributed, with individuals with higher education more likely to be prepared. Regarding access to information, the data show a stronger association between middle-aged individuals, lower emotional impact, and the perception of having received sufficient information during the power outage. By identifying distinct response patterns, the study contributes to a better understanding of the social dimensions of crisis management and complements the existing literature on disasters and unexpected situations.