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www.essbilbao.com Quality of Life in the Basque Country Photography: © Mikel Arrazola © Martin Presumido Szymczak Index

1 Introduction 4 2 Human Development Index (HDI) 5 2.1 HDI: Health sub-index 6 2.2 HDI: Knowledge sub-index 8 2.3 HDI: Standard of living sub-index 10 3 Other indicators: Public safety 12 4 The Basque Country at a glance 14 4.1 A modern, strategically-located region 14 4.2 Health system 18 4.3 Scientific environment 19 4.4 Schooling and education 22 4.5 Nature and the environment 24 4.6 Culture, leisure and sports 26 5 Conclusions 31 6 Useful links 32 Sources 33

Table 1. Basic indicators of the Human Development Index. 5 Table 2. Causes of Death by region. Crude death rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) in 2006. 7 Table 3. Educational levels of the labour force. 9 Table 4. Crime Rate in the European Union (per 1000 people). 13

Figure 1. Human Development Index (HDI). 5 Figure 2. Life Expectancy at Birth. 6 Figure 3. Victims in road accidents: deaths per million inhabitants 2006. 8 Figure 4. Education Index. 8 Figure 5. Population with tertiary education. 9 Figure 6. GDP per capita (PPP US$) 10 Figure 7. GDP per capita (USD/Population) in the European regions. 10 Figure 8. GDP yearly growth in the European regions. 1995-2005. 11 Figure 9. Employment rates in the European regions. 11 Figure 10. Unemployment rates in the European regions. 11 Figure 11. Productivity per worker in Europe (EU 27 average=100). 11 Figure 12. Intentional homicide rate per 100,000 population. 12 Figure 13. Regional crime against the property: Europe 13 1. Introduction

“Quality of life” is a broad concept used to measure the Being considerably different from other Spanish regions, well-being of a society using a number of different the Basque Country's high quality of life and social indicators. The fundamental aim of this study is to provide connectedness are highly appreciated and make it an information on some of these indicators with reference attractive place to live and work. to the Basque Country and to give an idea of the wide The following document analyses different social and range of opportunities offered by this territory. economic indicators in order to compare the quality of life Quality of life in Spain has improved greatly over recent in the Basque Country with other developed countries. years, with huge increases in its economic and social Section 2 describes the Human Development Index and indicators. its components and compares this with other European The Basque Country, which stradles the border between countries and regions. Section 3 sets out the public safety France and the rest of Spanish territory, is known as one indicators, and section 4 describes several aspects of the of the wealthiest autonomous regions in the country and daily life in the Basque Country. Finally, section 5 contains is famous for its important R&D achievements, high a number of concluding remarks. productivity, the important developments in its educational system, high GDP per capita, high quality health care, and its extensive offer of leisure and sport activities.

4

SPAIN BASQUE COUNTRY

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Introduction 2. Human Development Index (HDI)

In order to measure the level of world development, the Consistently good results in the three areas covered by United Nations’ global development programme (UNDP) the Human Development Index have led to the region's created the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite high position among developed countries. indicator that measures a country’s or region’s average achievements in basic aspects of human development. As can be seen in Table 1, life expectancy at birth in the UNDP publishes an annual comparative study of nearly Basque Country is one of the highest in Europe, standing 180 countries, measuring social and economic wellbeing at 80.8 years, bettered only by Switzerland with 81.3 years. of the population, evaluating quality-of-life levels using The longevity indexes of the Basque Country come close non-market activities. Using the same methodology, to Iceland (81.5) and Australia (80.9), although all of them EUSTAT (Basque Statistics Institute) calculates the HDI are below Japan, which has the highest index in the world and sub-indices for the Basque Country. with 82.3 years. The HDI is made up of three basic indicators: health (life The high education levels measured in terms of adult expectancy at birth), knowledge (adult literacy rate, gross literacy and combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio), and standard of living (GDP per capita). enrolment ratio, place the Basque education index ahead According to the 2007 human development classification, of many developed countries, falling just short of an index the Basque Country is among the most developed countries of 1. in the world (Figure 1) [1]. It ranks second in the European HDI classification behind Norway, with only 0.004 points The Basque Country is also among the countries with the of difference. The region's indicator, 0.964, exceeds those highest GDP per capita in Europe: measured in purchasing 5 of such high-ranking countries as Sweden, France or the power parity US dollars (PPP US $) the Basque GDP per UK (0.956, 0.952 and 0.946 respectively). inhabitant amounts to 34,026 US $ per year, being above The Basque Country has made considerable efforts to the GDP per capita of the UK (33,238 US$), Finland (32,153 increase the quality of life of the population over the last US $), or Germany (29,461 US $). The most advanced few years: the HDI rose from 0.940 in 2001 (below Norway, country in terms of GDP per capita is Luxembourg (60,228 Luxemburg, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, the US $), which doubles the results of all European countries. Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark) to 0.964 in 2007, with notable progress in all its components. Table 1. Human Development Index basic indicators Figure 1. Human Development Index (HDI)

Life expectancy Education Per Capita Norway at birth index GDP PPP (US$) Basque Country Ireland Basque Country 80.80 0.988 34,026 Sweden Switzerland Switzerland 81.30 0.,946 35,633 Netherlands Spain 80.50 0.987 27,169 France Sweden 80.50 0.978 32,525 Finland Italy 80.30 0.958 28,529 Spain Denmark France 80.20 0.982 30,386 Austria Norway 79.80 0.991 41,420 UK Austria 79.40 0.966 33,700 Belgium Luxembourg Netherlands 79.20 0.988 32,684 Italy Germany 79.10 0.953 29,461 Germany United Kingdom 79.00 0.970 33,238 Greece Finland 78.90 0.993 32,153 0.900 0.910 0.920 0.930 0.940 0.950 0.960 0.970 Grecee 78.90 0.970 23,381 Belgium 78.80 0.977 32,119 Source: Data for selected countries from UNDP report 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005) Ireland 78.40 0.993 38,505 Data for the Basque Country from Eustat 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005). Luxembourg 78.40 0.942 60,228 Denmark 77.90 0.993 33,973 [1] In order to make meaningful international comparisons and Source: Data for selected countries from UNDP report 2007 due to data availability, the Basque Country will be referred (data corresponds to year 2005.) indistinctly as a country or a region in what follows. Data for the Basque Country from EUSTAT 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005).

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) In the following subsections the three sub-indices are Life expectancy at birth in the Basque Country is 80.8 analysed in more detail. years (Figure 2), the sixth highest rate in the world. Switzerland, which, traditionally, is the country with the highest life expectancy indicator, is only 0.5 years ahead. 2.1. HDI: Health sub-index Other developed countries famous for their high quality of life have a lower longevity rate. According to the table, Sweden (80.5), Italy (80.3) and France (80.2) have life expectancy rates below that of the Basque Country. The health indicator determines the quality of life of a country and is a primary condition for developing a welfare According to the Basque Statistics Institute (EUSTAT), life state. The health sub-index is measured by life expectancy expectancy at birth has increased progressively over the at birth as an indicator of the health and longevity of the last ten years. Thus, in 1995, Basque longevity was 76.1 population. years (72.4 years for men and 79.7 years for women) In many developed countries access to preventive health compared to 80.8 years in 2005, showing an increase in care is an essential right, which makes European longevity life expectancy at birth of 4.7 years. one of the highest in the world. There are several reasons that explain such a high index. First, the Basque Country has one of the lowest death Figure 2. Life expectancy at birth rates in the European Union, so the region's crude death rate per 100,000 inhabitants is 873.5, below the 941.4 rate for EU15. Switzerland Basque Country Table 2 shows death rates due to the 22 main causes by Spain Sweden region per 100,000 inhabitants in 2006. These show that Italy neoplasm and diseases of the circulatory system are the France Norway most common causes of death in all European countries. 6 Austria Death rates in the Basque Country due to diseases of the Netherlands Germany circulatory system and provoked by external causes UK (including transport accidents, suicide or intentional self- Finland Greece harm, and homicide or assault) are especially low. Compared Belgium to EU15, the Basque Country has lower death rates due Luxembourg Ireland to alcohol abuse, diseases of the circulatory system, injury Denmark and poisoning, transport accidents, suicide and intentional 77 78 79 80 81 82 self-harm, homicide and assaults. Source: Data for selected countries from UNDP report 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005.) Data for the Basque Country from EUSTAT 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005).

Doña Casilda park (Bilbao)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) Table 2. Causes of death by region. Crude death rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) in 2006.

Basque Country Finland France Germany Ireland Italy Nether. Norway Spain Sweden Switzer. EU15 EU25 EU27

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) 18.5 6.4 16.3 15.0 3.8 12.5 11.8 15.9 23.8 16.3 15.3 8.3 13.3 12.2 12.1

Neoplasms (C00-D48) 263.4 209.8 249.8 263.5 187.0 286.2 248.2 229.4 214.1 230.5 251.3 216.0 255.4 255.8 253.5

Deseases of the blood, immunological disorders (D50-D89) 3.0 1.1 3.5 2.5 2.0 4.4 2.9 3.0 2.8 2.8 3.0 2.2 2.8 2.6 2.5

Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90) 25.1 11.2 30.8 32.3 16.7 40.0 26.0 24.5 42.7 26.1 26.6 22.1 29.5 27.8 27.1

Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99) 39.0 51.0 26.6 17.2 13.8 15.1 42.7 34.5 3.7 27.4 51.5 37.4 23.5 20.8 19.7

Alcoholic abuse (including alcoholic psychosis) (F10) 0.4 3.4 4.9 5.6 2.0 0.4 1.2 4.0 0.9 0.7 3.2 2.2 2.9 3.0 3.0

Drug dependence, toxicomania (F11-F16, F18-F19) - 0.1 0.3 0.8 2.1 0.7 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6

Diseases of the nervous system and the sense organs (G00-H95) 44.3 60.8 43.7 23.6 16.4 32.8 23.6 29.5 22.6 35.6 32.4 37.5 30.3 27.8 26.7

Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) 265.0 379.4 234.9 435.8 226.8 373.4 255.2 314.4 310.6 273.7 423.5 299.2 358.4 382.8 407.8

Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) 82.2 40.4 49.3 66.6 93.4 60.7 84.0 85.0 108.6 89.6 62.2 49.3 80.6 76.0 74.9

Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K93) 44.8 45.7 37.3 52.2 23.8 39.2 33.2 27.3 40.5 43.9 33.5 33.3 42.7 44.0 44.9

Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) 1.8 0.6 2.9 0.8 1.6 1.5 2.2 1.8 2.0 2.5 1.5 1.3 1.8 1.6 1.6

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system/connective tissue (M00-M99) 7.5 5.4 5.6 2.8 4.4 5.2 5.5 5.1 2.1 7.6 4.7 6.5 5.3 4.8 4.5

Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99) 17.9 8.9 13.5 18.3 16.3 15.4 19.3 20.2 24.2 21.3 12.9 8.2 16.6 15.9 15.7 7 Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (O00-O99) - 0.1 0.1 - - - 0.1 0.1 - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96) 1.8 1.4 2.4 1.7 2.6 2.0 2.5 2.5 1.8 2.1 1.4 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.5

Congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99) 2.2 3.5 2.5 1.8 3.8 2.3 3.4 2.9 1.9 2.1 3.0 3.5 2.5 2.6 2.6

Symptoms, signs, abnormal findings, ill-defined causes (R00-R99) 24.2 5.4 54.3 24.2 2.2 15.9 35.0 37.3 119.3 23.9 31.5 28.7 32.6 33.8 32.7

External causes of injury and poisoning (V01-Y89) 32.7 82.4 59.7 39.1 30.3 41.2 32.8 51.5 42.9 36.6 50.9 49.7 43.8 48.4 48.9

Transport accidents (V01-V99) 7.2 8.4 8.0 6.5 6.8 10.4 4.8 5.9 10.6 10.3 5.6 5.4 8.7 9.7 10.0

Suicide and intentional self-harm (X60-X84) 7.0 20.1 16.8 11.9 9.2 6.3 9.3 11.4 8.2 7.4 13.2 17.5 10.6 11.6 11.7

Homicide, assault (X85-Y09) 0.4 2.0 0.8 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.0 1.6 0.9 0.9 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.1

All causes of death (A00-Y89) 873.5 913.5 833.2 997.4 644.9 947.7 828.2 884.9 963.6 842.0 1005.1 805.5 941.4 959.3 977.7

Source: European Regional Health Statistics (EUROSTAT)

Behaviour involving health risks such as the consumption Regarding transport accidents, the Basque Country ranks of drugs, activities involving a risk of injury, excessive among the regions with the lowest European mortality for consumption of alcohol, the inappropriate consumption of this cause (7.2 per 100.000 inhabitants compared to 10 in medicines, self inflicted injuries and violent aggressions EU27). Finland, France, Italy and Portugal have higher towards others, are the causes of emerging health transport accident rates than the Basque Country. Road accidents are considered to be one of the most important problems. The mortality indicators for these categories in causes of premature deaths on a global scale. With regard the Basque Country are low compared with other European to deaths caused by road accidents, Figure 3 shows that countries. For example, 7 out of every 100,000 inhabitants the Basque Country, along with other two regions of Spain died because of suicide or intentional self-harm. This ( and Cantabria), has a low number of victims in number is lower than the EU27 average of 11.7 deaths road accidents (less than 60 per million of inhabitants). and well below the death rates for this cause in Finland This death rate is comparable to some regions of central (20.1), Switzerland (17.5), France (16.8) or Sweden (13.2). and northern Europe.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) Figure 3. Victims in road accidents: deaths per million inhabitants 2006 2.2. HDI: Knowledge sub-index

Victims in road accidents, Education and knowledge are the essential building-blocks by NUTS 2 regions, 2006 (1) of a highly-developed society and one of the most important (number of deaths per million inhabitants) quality-of-life indicators. The country's economy, R&D, <=60 social conditions and scientific achievements are dependent >60 and <=95 upon the number of highly-trained specialists and workers. >95 and <=130 Modern society requires advanced and efficient educational >130 systems in order to face market demands and respond Data not available efficiently to a rapidly changing world economy. The educational component of the HDI consists of adult literacy rates and the combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary schooling, weighted to give adult literacy more significance in the statistic. The Basque Country has one of the highest education rates in the world. Regarding the HDI education index (Figure 4), the region has outstanding results. With a score of 0.988 it surpasses France, Sweden and Germany and falls short of the indicators of only four European countries: Ireland, Finland, Denmark and Norway.

Figure 4. Education index. 8

Ireland Finland Denmark Norway (1) Bulgaria, Denmark and Slovenia, country level; Basque Country Scotland (UKM), level1; Netherlands Italy 2003; Spain Denmark, Ireland, Sweden and UK, 2004; France Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg and Slovenia, 2005. Sweden Data source: Directorate General for Transport and Energy (CARE database), Belgium Eurostat (tran_r_safe and tran_r_safe_cc) UK ©Eurogeographics Association, for the administrative boundaries Greece Austria Cartography: Eurostat - GISCO, 10/2008 Italy Germany Source: This table appears in pag. 21 of “Regions of the EU. A statistical portrait- 2009 Switzerland Edition”, EUROSTAT. Luxembourg

0.900 0.920 0.940 0.960 0.980 1.000 Last but not least, the high longevity index of the Basque Source: Data for selected countries from UNDP report 2007 Country relates to the quality of its health system. The (data corresponds to year 2005.) Basque Country allocates a large part of its GDP (21.7 % Data for the Basque Country from EUSTAT 2007 (data corresponds to year 2005). in 1997) to its social security system, increasing its capacity to respond to the increasing demand of the population for The high score of the Basque Country in the HDI education health services. The Basque Country is a developing index is due in part to the importance of tertiary education community which is constantly evolving and renewing in the population. As can be seen in Figure 5, the European itself. The high levels of health are the result of the areas with the highest percentage of individuals with a interaction of its social and economic conditions. university education (above 35%) are London, Paris, Oslo and the Basque Country. The countries with the highest percentage of individuals with a higher tertiary education are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, England, some regions of France and Spain, the Basque Country being the most significant region.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) Moreover, the labour force of the Basque Country has the Figure 5. Population with tertiary education. highest percentage of tertiary education qualifications in Europe. Table 3 shows that 47.6% of the Basque labour force has a tertiary education qualification.

Table 3. Educational levels of the labour force.

Elementary Secondary Tertiary education education education 34.3 (as % of labour (as % of labour (as % of labour force) force) force)

Basque Country 30.7 21.7 47.6 Finland 19.0 47.0 34.0 France 27.3 43.1 27.1 24.3 Germany 17.8 58.3 23.8 Ireland 26.6 38.4 32.1 Italy 40.2 44.7 15.0 Netherlands 26.2 43.2 29.6 Norway 11.7 55.7 32.5 Population with tertiary education (5-6) (%) 13.8 Portugal 71.2 15.2 13.6 Spain 45.2 23.3 31.5 Sweden 16.6 53.7 29.7 Switzerland 14.8 55.4 29.9

Source: OECD Regional Statistics. 2006. Source: OECD 2006

Main building of the University of (Bilbao)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) development achieved is higher than in other 2.3. HDI: Standard countries/regions with the same GDP per capita. of living sub-index OECD Regional Statistics data (Figure 7) shows that the Basque Country has one of the highest GDP per capita GDP per capita is an economic indicator used extensively rates in Europe and enjoys one of the strongest positions to measure the wealth of a country. This indicator of any Spanish region. determines quality-of-life levels from an economic viewpoint.

Standard of living is measured in the HDI by GDP per capita Figure 7. GDP per capita (USD/Population) expressed in US dollars and differences in price levels are of European regions. accounted for by using the purchasing power parity (PPP US$) as exchange rate.

Figure 6. GDP per capita (PPP US$)

Luxembourg Norway Ireland Sweden Switzerland Basque Country Denmark 38853.0 Austria UK Netherlands Finland 25881.0 Belgium GDP per capita (USD/Pop) 10 France Germany Italy Spain Greece

7890.0 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000

Source: Data for selected countries from UNDP report 2007 (the data corresponds to year 2005.) Data for the Basque Country from EUSTAT 2007 (the data corresponds to year 2005). Source: OECD Regional Statistics. 2006.

GDP per capita is not only high but has increased The Basque Country ranks sixth with a GDP per capita of consistently over the last ten years: the average yearly 34.026 US$, ahead of most European countries (Figure 6). growth rate between 1995 and 2005 was 3.04% according Moreover, the Basque Country ranks even higher in terms to the OECD Regional Statistics data (Figure 8). The constant of HDI than in terms of GDP per capita, as can be seen efforts of the government and citizens of the Basque from a comparison of the results shown in Figures 1 and Country at an economic level and their attitude to industrial 5. This fact indicates that that the level of human innovation have helped to increase this indicator.

Shopping area in Bilbao City Center

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) Figure 8. GDP yearly growth in the European Figure 10. Unemployment rates in the European regions. 1995-2005. regions.

17,4

4,0

2,6 Unemployment Rate (%) GDP Yearly Growth 1995-2005 (%) GDP Yearly

8,2

1,1

Source: OECD Regional Statistics. 2006. Source: OECD Regional Statistics. 2006. 11 The high GDP per capita has been accompanied by a high Finally, the high rate of employment has gone hand in hand employment rate (67.4% in 2006), one of the highest of with high productivity rates per worker, allowing the Basque any Spanish region, and a low unemployment rate (7.3% Country to attain the high GDP per capita shown in Figure in 2006) as shown in Figures 9 and 10. 6. Productivity per worker in the Basque Country is similar to the figure for Ireland and only substantially below that Figure 9. Employment rates in the European of Luxembourg (Figure 11). It is 35.4 points higher than regions. the EU27 average and 3.7 times higher than Bulgarian productivity.

Figure 11. Productivity per worker in Europe 76,3 (EU 27 average=100).

Luxembourg Ireland Basque Country Belgium France 64,4 Austria Sweden Netherlands Finland UK Italy Denmark

Employment Rate (%) Germany Spain Greece EU 27

48,0 100806040200 160140120 180

Source: “Euskadi in the EU 27”, EUSTAT.

Source: OECD Regional Statistics. 2006.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Human Development Index (HDI) 3. Other indicators: Public safety

HDI cannot be used to express the full extent of human development or any other of the composite indices. Figure 12. Intentional homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants 12 Accordingly, this and the next section are devoted to other aspects of a society's well-being. The security of every member of society is an important 0-3 The boundaries and designations used on this map do not implay 3-5 condition for developing healthy community relations. It endorsement or acceptance by the is one of the primary parameters when talking about the 5-10 United Nations quality of life of a country. A low crime rate is an important 10-20 indicator that shows the maturity of social relations and 20-25 >25 indicates the integrity of different groups of citizens in the Data not available social system. The sense of security helps to create a healthy social environment, enabling people to live freely without fear, creating a strong community. With regard to crime, intentional homicide can be considered to be the worst offence. According to the United Nations, the intentional homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants is quite high in most countries. Europe is one of the safest places in the world with only 0-3 intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants (see Figure 12).

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 2006 But homicide rates are not the only important indicator of security levels. Table 4 shows crimes reported to the police per 1000 inhabitants (the final source is the Basque Police web site). According to this data, the Basque Country has one of the lowest crime and offences rate of any European country. For example, it is about 4 times lower than in Sweden (2003) or 3.2 times compared to England's (2003). Moreover, this indicator has remained fairly stable over recent years1 .

1 The data should be considered with due caution since legislation varies from country to country.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Other indicators: Public safety Table 4. Crime rate in the European Figure 13. Regional crime Union (per 1,000 people). against property: Europe

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Ireland 22.60 27.29 26.08 24.57 24.74 Higher than 130% Basque Country 35.37 37.17 35.04 36.17 36.87 Between 110% and 130% Italy 37.98 39.15 42.86 41.77 44.12 Between 95% and 110% Spain 49.76 51.35 49.49 48.94 51.12 Between 80% and 95% Luxembourg 51.59 58.65 58.36 59.58 55.65 Between 65% and 80% France 68.79 69.32 66.40 61.57 60.40 Lower than 85% Finland 69.27 69.68 70.56 67.89 64.65 Austria 65.17 73.35 79.40 79.07 73.75 Holland 85.07 88.17 85.22 81.19 76.97 Germany 77.36 78.93 79.63 80.37 77.47 Denmark 88.48 91.56 90.31 87.89 79.96 England/Wales 105.53 112.22 112.41 106.84 92.52 Belgium 96.29 101.08 99.12 97.85 94.45 Sweden 133.90 138.60 140.41 139.13 137.81 Greece 40.22 40.22 40.14 36.74 - Portugal 36.29 37.91 40.10 39.75 - EU Average 70.03 72.45 72.49 70.30 69.69

Source for demographic data: EUROSTAT / INE / EUSTAT Source for crime offenses: Home Office UK/ Country police / Ministerio de Interior / Departamento Interior G.V. / Conselleria Interior Generalitat. Table obtained from www.ertzaintza.net

13 With regard to crimes against property (forgery, arson, burglary, theft, fraud, robbery and malicious damage to property), Figure 13 shows that the Basque rate is below the Spanish average, indicating therefore a high degree of safety for an urban region, which usually have higher rates Source: OECD Regions at a Glance, 2007. Per inhabitant, as a percentage of the national of crimes against property than in rural areas. average. 2003.

Campo Volantín - Riverfront walk (Bilbao)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Other indicators: Public safety 4. The Basque Country at a glance

This section focuses on different aspects of life in the traffic. San Sebastian airport is a small airport situated very Basque Country, all of which have an effect on the quality close to France and specialised in passenger traffic. Vitoria of life and attractiveness of a location for living. airport is the third Spanish airport in terms of the volume of cargo and represents an important hub for goods transport in the north of the country. It possesses one of 4.1. A modern, the best perishable goods terminals in Europe, and is the strategically-located region air freight consolidation centre of DHL for the and north of Africa. , specialised in passenger traffic, is the biggest airport in the Basque The Basque Country is well-known as an international Country and is the most important in the Cantabrian area. connectivity hub with a modern communications This airport is also famous for its modern facilities and its infrastructure. Its railways, roads and air transport enable new terminal of futurist design, one of the symbols of the fast, easy connections with the rest of the territory and renewal and modernization of the city of Bilbao. Europe. The airline companies operating out of these three airports Air transport are: Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Air France, Air Nostrum, Alitalia, Andalus Líneas Aéreas, Brussels Airlines, The Basque Country boasts one of the most advanced Clickair, Easyjet, Iberia, Iberworld, Lufthansa, Nordjet 14 airport infrastructures of the Spanish state. There are Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airline, Spanair, Swiftair, TAP airports in each of three main cities: Airport in Bilbao, Portugal, TUIfly and Vueling Airlines. In an average of 1 Foronda Airport in Vitoria and Hondarribia Airport in San or 2 hours it is possible to fly to major European cities like Sebastian. Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, In 2007, these three airports recorded total traffic amounting Munich and Stuttgart. This direct connection with the to 4,927,000 passengers, 88,078 aircraft and 38,543 tons principal European airports allows passengers to fly on to of cargo. Each of these is specialised in different types of destinations all over the world.

Bilbao 's Airport Terminal

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Sea transport High speed railways Bilbao and Pasajes are the two main commercial ports of Direct flights the Basque Country. These offer modern facilities and represent major centres for the entry and exit of goods with a total annual traffic of almost 44 million tons goods of all kinds from all over the world.

Apart from the airports of the Basque Country, Santander airport (province of Cantabria) is just 85 km from Bilbao and Biarritz airport (France) is 158 km away.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance The is one of the most important transport and logistics centres along the Atlantic coastline. It has a Armintza privileged geographical situation offering links to the main Ea Hondarribia

international ports and is provided with modern facilities San Sebastián and large-scale port services. It is one of the few ports Deba Orio Bilbao with docks with draughts of up to 32 metres and is operative Bizkaia MutrikuZumaia GetariaGipuzkoa 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The port is well equipped with modern facilities: 350 ha of land surface, 1,971 ha of Apart from its two main ports, the Basque Country has flotation surface, 17 km of docks and 252 ha of warehousing a large number of smaller ports, distributed along the surface. It also has excellent direct transport connections entire Basque coast, engaged in activities relating to with the national railway network and national and European motorway networks. trade, fishing and sailing. Bilbao is also used as a port for passenger vessels. The company P&O runs a regular ferry service ('Pride of Bilbao') Railway network between Bilbao and the city of in Southern The Basque Country is endowed with a highly-developed England. A large number of tourists call in at Bilbao during railway infrastructure with nearly 600 km of routes. Spanish cruises along the Cantabrian coast. Railroads´ National Network (RENFE) connects the Basque The port of Pasaia is situated close to San Sebastian, only Country with the rest of the Spanish state and the main an hour away from France. It is smaller than the port of European cities. From Bilbao-Abando station there are Bilbao. Its docks are about 4,500 meters long and are used daily train departures to cities such as Madrid, , by fishing boats and merchant vessels, while the rest is Lisbon, Porto and Paris. Within the Basque Country there used for other activities. The port is used as an important is a large network of commuter trains (FEVE) as well as trade centre for scrap, iron and steel products, cars, coal, a specific network on the of the Bilbao river wood, paper and other types of cargo. estuary (Euskotren). 16

Bilbao underground (Basque Country)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Bilbao's tramway

One of the most ambitious projects of the Basque railroad a Burdeos infrastructure is the high speed train. The project expects SANTANDER to connect the three most important cities of the region BIARRITZ BILBAO in only half an hour. It plans to reduce travelling times with SAN SEBASTIÁN a Pau y Toulouse the main cities of the Spanish state and some European a Oviedo cities: Bilbao - Madrid (2 hours 10 minutes), Bilbao - Bordeaux (2 hours 18 minutes), Bilbao - Paris (5 hours 47 minutes), Madrid - Paris (7 hours 25 minutes), Madrid - 17

Bordeaux (4 hours 20 minutes). PAMPLONA VITORIA

a León LOGROÑO

BURGOS

a Palencia y Valladolid a Zaragoza y Barcelona The Bilbao Underground is an important connectivity a Madrid infrastructure that allows easy, fast travelling within the metropolitan area of the capital of Bizkaia. It is 38.2km long and has two lines that connect the centre of Bilbao For communications within the Basque Country and with with the coast. The Bilbao underground was designed in the rest of the Spanish state, there is a dense road network 1995 by Sir Norman Foster and is one of the most modern with multiple accesses to roads such as the Bilbao- in the world. Characterised by their innovative, modern Saragossa motorway (AP-68), the Bilbao-Behobia motorway and functional style, the underground stations and (A-8) and the -Vitoria-Gasteiz motorway (AP-1). entrances, made from glass and steel, have become important features in the city. Connectivity with the entire world

Road network Regarding the supporting communications infrastructure for the Scientific environment, the i2Basque Network The Basque Country has more than 4,250 kilometres of (backbone of the Basque R&D&I community) and the IRIS motorways, general and regional network (Spanish network for interconnection), provide dual-carriageways and modern access roads to the towns top-level support for access to the main research and and cities. It communicates with the rest of Europe along international commercial networks. This network offers routes E-05 (Paris - Madrid- ), E-70 (A-8) (Bilbao- external connectivity with other research and academic Bordeaux- Lyon- Turin) and E-80 (A-68) (Lisbon- Madrid- networks in Europe and takes part in the GÉANT pan- Toulouse- Rome). European IP network project.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Health services 4.2. Description of the health system According to statistics for 2006, the Basque Country has 45 hospitals: 30 short-term, 5 long and medium term and 10 psychiatric hospitals. The three main hospitals are in Health is a key element to guarantee the individual and the Bilbao area (Basurto hospital, -Usansolo and collective well-being of a community. The Basque Country Cruces hospital), one hospital in San Sebastian area enjoys a wide network of health services and hospitals, (Donostia hospital) and two hospitals in Vitoria (Santiago offering a specializing health care focused on the satisfaction hospital and Txagorritxu hospital). of the health needs of our citizens with equity, quality and According to statistics for 2006, the total number of health efficiency. service workers is about 20,797, of which 4,330 are doctors, As an autonomous region of Spain, the Basque Country 5,969 are nurses and 10,498 with other medical and non has independent powers in the field of medical services. medical profiles. In total, our hospitals have 8,049 beds As a result, the public Basque Health Service Osakidetza (3.8 beds per 1000 inhabitants), 49 doctors and 86.7 nurses was created, known as the best quality health service of per 100 occupied beds. There are surgical, intensive care, any Spanish autonomic region. life support and other services. Also, our hospitals are Osakidetza is the public Basque Health Service assigned provided with operating rooms for programmed and urgent to the Department of Health that provides the necessary operations. There are nearly 292,104 hospitalisations and public services to satisfy the health needs of the population. 2,388,131 hospital stays per year, 224,104 surgical Osakidetza stands out for its professionalism, innovation operations, more than 1,099,874 emergency cases, and continuous progress, efficiency and patient orientation. 2,343,699 consultations in hospitals and ambulatories and It has a special health public programme in preventive 20,233 births. In 2006, expenditure on health in the Basque medicine and is famous for introducing the use of an Country was 1,651.4 million Euros. innovative electronic health card. Over recent years, policies to improve the health of the 18 population have been a priority. As a result, important measures have been adopted to reform the health model in a highly efficient public health system, in order to improve and modernise the service.

Cruces Hospital (Bizkaia)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Bikaia Technology Park

Electronic health card 4.3. Scientific The ONA card is a new electronic card that replaces the environment individual health card and provides multiple civil uses. The card provides access to general, statutory and municipal services in different fields. Health services include the Decisive steps have been taken to transform the Basque reservation of medical appointments, second medical Country into an example of innovation in Europe. The opinions, etc. The major advantage of this card is the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation System has flexibility that it offers, being operative 24 hours a day and been promoted to combine the efforts of all public and 365 days a year. private entities that encourage the use of Science Technology and Innovation to improve business competitiveness. The Basque Country has organised its research around eight spheres of knowledge that are closely linked with its business and social fabric. Together they make up a point of reference in Europe, and participating actively in the construction of the European research space, the leading international consortia at the highest level. Knowledge communities embrace, in fact, all of the organisations and institutional agents that carry out activities designed to generate and disseminate knowledge that serves as the basis for the processes of social and commercial innovation,and is the driving force behind economic development. The basis of a successful science, technology, and innovation system is a well-formed critical mass. The Basque System offers highly qualified jobs in different

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance disciplines, both in the pubic and private sectors. The centres, participate in the configuration of the CICs, which research and technology carried out are founded on constitute the Basque Country's new scientific collaboration and cooperation and are organised in the so- competences in emerging niches. The companies called knowledge communities, which generate new types themselves participate directly in the managing bodies of of innovation. most of the technological research and development centres, guaranteeing that their activities are orientated Today, the Basque Country has the most extensive network towards the requirements of local companies and promoting of science and technology agents in the Spanish state, their competitiveness on a global scale. with more than 12,500 researchers and backup staff; an interconnected network of more than 90 entities between Today, there are six centres in the following disciplines: technology and sector centres, laboratories, business units, biosciences, biomaterials, manufacturing, nanotechnology, universities, and around technological scientific knowledge microtechnology and tourism, and a seventh is under way communities-understood as multipartite spheres of in renewable energies. cooperation consisting of local groups both in universities It is also possible to find three Basque Excellence Research and in research centres and industry. These communities Renters (BERC): Basque Centre for Climate Change, Basque focus on the following disciplines: biosciences, Centre for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) and Basque nanosciences, materials, neutron sciences, energy, Centre on Cognition Brain and Language (BCBL). manufacturing, information sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Of special relevance are the 18 technology centres that carry out technological development activities of an Business location industrial, pluri-technology, and pluri-sector nature; Basque Country is a perfect location for foreign businesses knowledge generation work and training; and the due to its high industrial development and productivity, its dissemination of their own technologies, not only for their strategic location, its communications network and its associate members or collaborators but also for any entity. technological and energy infrastructure. 20 Moreover, in the region there are a number of Cooperative Most investment comes from European Union countries, Research Centres (CIC), multi-partite cooperation platforms although in recent years, the USA is becoming relevant in engaged in the medium-to-long term development of the ranking of investing countries. There are presently capabilities in strategic areas of research for the Basque more than 700 companies in the Basque Country with a Community. Universities, together with the technology significant, or majority, participation of foreign companies

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Talent attraction Fiscal benefits designed to attract talent The Basque Country has two organizations: Ikerbasque All taxable persons subject to VAT, established in the (Basque Science Agency) and Bizkaia: Xede, to facilitate province of Bizkaia, can obtain VAT refunds or compensation the incorporation of highly qualified personnel into the job by ordinary procedure. This can occur once an activity has market. The main aim of both organizations is to help to begun or even before, which is important with regard to develop scientific research in the Basque Country by the acquisition of capital goods. attracting researchers and providing them with support to Even business people and professionals not established settle in this country. in the territory in which the tax is applied may exercise ESS-Bilbao Welcome Service will coordinate the different their right to a refund of any VAT that they have paid or, if demands and offers relating to ESS-Bilbao. appropriate, collected in the aforementioned territory. This regime might be of interest in the case of operations carried out by business people and professionals of third- party countries involved in the ESS operation. With regard to income tax, we should point out that there are discounts as a measure to promote and attract talent. Specifically, those persons who take up residence in the Basque Country can pay taxes during a number of years as if they were not residents, being liable to 24% taxation.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance 4.4. Schooling and education

The Basque Country considers educational development to be of prime importance and is one of the most important regions in Spain at an educational level. Schooling is The German School San Alberto Magno voluntary for children from 0 to 6 years of age and mandatory (www.colegioaleman.net) from 6 to 16. It is distributed into three stages: This is a private educational centre located in San Sebastian for children and young people from 2 to 18. The school 1. Voluntary Infant education, for schoolchildren from 0 to offers an extensive range of activities throughout the 6, in two stages (0-3 and 3-6). different school stages. There study German, English, Spanish and Basque languages. 2. Compulsory Primary education, for schoolchildren from 6 to 12. 3. Compulsory Secondary education, for schoolchildren from 12 to 16.

Regarding primary and secondary education, the Basque Country offers a large number of public and private schools. At present, practically 100% of children up to 16 years St. George's English School of Bilbao receive primary and secondary compulsory education. Both (www.st-george.com) primary and secondary public schools are free and offer Founded in 1956, the school reproduces the methodology a high-quality education including the study of English, 22 and operation of British schools and gives special importance Spanish and Basque. to English language and culture. The school seeks to establish the foundations of a truly bilingual education through linguistic immersion consolidated throughout the student's school life.

Schools

The Basque Country boasts several foreign languages centres that provide educational experience comparable to those provided in the respective home countries. There are the following international schools: American School of Bilbao (www.asob.es) The school was founded in 1967. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (ECIS). The American School of Bilbao offers students an American- style educational programme taught in English.

The German School San Bonifacio (www.dsbilbao.org) Created in 1917 in Bilbao, this centre follows the German French School of Bilbao Gymnasium system. The Students receive classes in (www.c-francaisbilbao.com) German; there are also classes of English, French, Latin, Spanish, and Basque languages. The school prepares its Created in 1933, the lyceum is a mixed centre that educates students to Abitur examination which gives access to children aged 3 to 16. The fundamental target of the lyceum German universities. is bilingualism based on the study of French and Spanish

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance cultures. Currently, the school has 1000 students of French and Spanish origin, as well as foreign nationals from other countries.

University of Mondragon Vocational Training (www.mondragon.edu) The pupils who from 16 years want to learn a specific The Mondragon Unibertsitatea was created in 1997 as a profession can choose a Vocational Training course following cooperative university with a clear human vocation and post compulsory secondary education. There are commitment to our environment, our society and our time. approximately 140 different types of professional training, It has around 4,000 students and offers a total of 22 degree subdivided in a middle and top grade and consistent in a courses. On the other hand, the range of postgraduate theoretical-practical knowledge in a professional field. The courses includes 15 Masters and 8 university specialisation duration of the Formative Cycles is variable: from an courses. academic course and one trimester up to two academic courses.

Universities (www.deusto.es) 23 Today, the Spanish network of universities consists of 74 The University of Deusto was inaugurated in 1886. The universities, among which there are both public and private University has two campuses: one in Bilbao and another centres. These centres provide excellent opportunities in in San Sebastian. It is famous in the field of Business both the variety and quality of educational offerings. Administration and Management, the Deusto Business Moreover, Spanish universities enjoy a leading role in School being one of the best education centres in the Europe in the field of research. In particular, the Basque Spanish state. Other Faculties in Deusto include: the Country has four main universities: University of the Basque Faculties of Law, Engineering ESIDe, Philosophy and Country, Deusto University, Mondragón University, and Education Sciences FICE, Arts, Political Science and TECNUN. These universities comprise 28 faculties, 3 higher Sociology, Humanities and Theology. The university also technical schools, and 11 university schools. More than has 3 Schools, 11 Institutes, 9 Chairs and other centres. one-third of the Basque population of between 18 and 25 The University is widely recognised for its academic years attend university and about 46.6% of the labour excellence and high quality education. force of Basque Country has a tertiary education.

University of Navarra (www.tecnun.es) University of the Basque Country (EHU-UPV) The School of Engineering of San Sebastian, of the (www.ehu.es) , aims to contribute to the professional, scientific and human education of prospective engineers. The UPV-EHU is distributed into three campuses, one in Since its inception, the School has striven to strike a balance each Basque province: Alava, Vizcaya and Guipuzkoa. between teaching, research and service to society, making These three sites house 31 faculties and schools and 104 these activities complementary to each other. At present departments covering a wide variety of subjects. It has a the School offers 5 official degrees recognised by the wide offer of tertiary studies. Ministry of Education and Science, both at undergraduate

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance (Basque Country)

and postgraduate level: Industrial Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical, Electronic and 4.5. Nature and Control Engineering, Industrial Management Engineering the environment and Materials Engineering.

Moreover, neighbouring autonomous communities offer Broad plains, mountain ranges, green woods, spectacular the Universities of Cantabria, Public , cliffs, abundant wetlands and marshes and relaxing beaches. University of Zaragoza, , and University Lovers of natural spaces have a great deal to discover in of Valladolid. There are also leading universities in the the Basque Country. The diversity and beauty of its autonomous communities of Madrid, , Community landscapes have been preserved not only in its protected of , , and . areas but in a large part of the territory. Visitors can enjoy The Basque Country promotes the connection between natural spaces and ecosystems located very near urban companies and universities in technological research, centres and cities. In the Basque Country, nature is just a development and innovation. University centres have a stone's throw away from civilisation. long history of collaboration within the R&D investigations, contributing to the innovation of the region and giving pupils a chance to do internships in big companies. The Protection and conservation high grade of tertiary education shows the importance that the country gives to the development of the potential of The Basque Country has nine natural parks, five protected its young people, offering them access to high quality biotopes and a biosphere reserve, Urdaibai, where the subsidised education. cliffs and beaches of the coast and the reserve's woods,

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance wetlands and inland rivers make up the greatest diversity (dolphins, fin whales, sperm whales, etc.) during the voyage of landscapes and ecological resources in our territory. of the Bilbao-Portsmouth ferry, which offers crash courses on marine fauna. In total, 14% of the surface area of the Basque Country is protected in accordance with one of these schemes Wealth of flora and fauna (above the European average of 12.3%). Additionally, a technical design proposal has been drawn up for a network Due to the strategic biogeographical position of the Basque of ecological corridors to ensure the viability of the Country, placed between the Eurosiberian and populations of flora and fauna of the Basque Country. On Mediterranean systems, the climatic gradient that runs the other hand, it is interesting to note that more than from the coast towards the interior, together with 20% of the surface area of the Basque Country is included differences in altitude of more than 1000 m, there is a in the European Natura 2000 network. great wealth of flora and fauna. In this way, more than 3000 species of plants and almost 40 invertebrates live in the extensive network of natural spaces in the Basque Sea, rivers, coastline and beaches Country, a land where nature coexists in harmony with human beings. The 252 km of Basque coastline is one of the most important tourist destinations thanks to the natural beauty of its surroundings, where beaches of fine sand are Environmental management interspersed with steep cliffs, river estuaries and a number of wetlands and marshes of great ecological interest. Through the Environment and Territorial Planning Inland, you can discover a large number of recreational Department, the public administration of the Basque and leisure areas by rivers and reservoirs, some of which Country develops and manages one of the most advanced represent veritable inland seas which are bound to surprise environmental protection and conservation policies in you. Europe.

The Cantabrian sea is home to a large number of marine Based on a strategy of long-term sustainable development 25 mammals and one can see a wide variety of cetaceans (2002-2020 Basque Sustainable Development Strategy)

Mundaka and the Unesco Biosphere Natural Reserve of Urdaibai (Bizkaia)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Sorginetxe dolmen (Basque Country)

the struggle against climate change, the preservation of biodiversity and the prevention and control of contamination, 4.6. Culture, leisure are just a few of its areas of activity. There is a specific and sports action plan for each area (2007-2010 Basque Plan to Fight against Climate Change; 2009-2014 Biodiversity Strategy; 26 etc.), which aim to achieve continuous environmental The Basque Country -or Euskadi as it called by the locals- improvement. is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is famous The development of these policies has been strengthened for its culture, architecture, gastronomy, leisure and sports through the firm support given to environmental R&D&I and its wonderful natural spaces. The country has an over recent years in the Basque Country. The BC3 (Basque unforgettable miscellany of traditional and modern life and Centre for Climate Change), the CIC energyGUNE offers a wide range of tourist activities. Visitors can enjoy (Cooperative Research Centre in Renewable Energies), its museums and concerts, take a walk in its beautiful the Torre Madariaga Biodiversity Observatory Unit and the natural parks and beaches, practice different types of sports Environmental Economics Unit (University of the Basque and enjoy its exquisite cuisine. The Basque Country offers Country) are a few of the research centres whose work helps to raise an awareness of environmental problems modern innovative infrastructures but at the same time it and more efficient solutions to help in their eradication. retains the charm of its traditional culture.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Due to its privileged geographical position and the influence Cooking is deeply rooted in Basque culture: the area has of the Atlantic Ocean, the Basque Country enjoys a produced world-renowned chefs and schools that have moderate, gentle climate. The average annual temperature revolutionised the concept of fine cuisine. The Basque is about 14.3ºC, the region has 11 days of frost and 2 of Country has one of the highest concentrations of haute snow a year and 132 hours of sunshine per month. The cuisine restaurants in the world, and there is a host of mean minimum temperature is 4.7ºC (January) and mean small restaurants that serve traditional recipes in uniquely maximum temperature is 25.5ºC (August), however in the attractive settings ("pintxos"). summer months the temperature can reach more than 30ºC. The mean rainfall in winter is about 129 mm and Sports the mean rainfall in summer is about 70 mm per month. The Basque people are very fond of sports. The Culture mountainous relief of the region, the proximity of the sea, its forests and the natural beauty of the environment The Basque Country is especially famous for its offer of determine the character of its people and make the Basque cultural activities. The San Sebastian Film Festival, Vitoria Country a perfect place for the practice of diverse range Jazz Festival, the Artium Museum in Vitoria, the Fine Arts of sporting activities. The most popular sports in this region museum in San Sebastian and Guggenheim museum of include mountaineering, , sailing, swimming, hiking, Bilbao, with its outstanding modern architecture, are a few climbing, , , hockey, soccer, rugby, , of the huge number of cultural choices. , etc.

Arriaga Theater (Bilbao)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Casco Viejo, Bilbao (Basque Country)

Main cities the first magnitude, has made Bilbao a focus of international attraction. With the creation of new infrastructures such The Basque Country has a lot of picturesque sightseeing as the underground and tram, the rehabilitation of numerous famous all over the world. Its castles, small villages and buildings, the enlargement of the port, the expansion of big cities – the most important being Bilbao, San Sebastian the city's green spaces and the birth of the Museum and Vitoria-Gasteiz - are of special interest. The small size Guggenheim and the Euskalduna Palace, Bilbao has of the region makes it easy to travel trough and the undergone a major transformation over recent years. hospitality of its people makes a newcomer feel like home. Although these improvements have made the city more The principal cities of the Basque Country are an example habitable, a great deal of work has also been done to of sustainable urban development, offering both to its preserve its delightful old part. inhabitants and visitors a nice environment with a wide Architects from all over the world have taken part in efforts 28 offer of green spaces of public recreation. to redefine the city, including Santiago Calatrava, Sir Norman Foster, Frank Ghery, Robert Stern, Arata Isozaki, Zaha Hadid, Rob Krier, and Federico Soriano. The Euskalduna Bilbao Palace, the Zubi-Zuri (White Bridge), the Bilbao underground, the Uribitarte Towers and the Guggenheim Museum are Bilbao is one of the most beautiful and modern cities of some of the constructions that give to the city its personality, the Atlantic coast. The city's offer of cultural activities, of charisma and avant-garde appeal.

Bilbao town hall (Basque Country)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Kursaal, San Sebastian (Basque Country)

One of the most interesting places in the city is its old San Sebastian quarter, made up of narrow streets full of bars and restaurants. In terms of historical architecture, San Sebastian Located on the banks of the Cantabrian sea and surrounded has a number of beautiful cathedrals, and the city is by green mountains, San Sebastian offers a myriad of especially famous for its conference centre, the Kursaal, breath-taking views that captivate both its inhabitants and the work of , the Comb of the Wind, with 29 visitors alike. The beautiful bay in the shape of shell that the sculptures of , etc. opens the metropolis to the sea is undoubtedly the most famous image of the city.

San Sebastian Jazz Festival (Basque Country)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance Vitoria (Basque Country)

highest percentage of natural spaces of any Spanish city: Vitoria-Gasteiz 20 m2 of green areas per inhabitant. Moreover, Vitoria- Gasteiz is surrounded by a green ring composed by four 30 Thanks to the city's pedestrian precincts and extensive immense parks of high ecological and landscape value green spaces, the quality of life of the inhabitants of Vitoria- (Olarizu, Armentia, Salburua and Zabalgana), which serve Gasteiz is one of the highest in Europe. The city has the as transition between the urban and the rural environment.

Virgen Blanca Square, Vitoria (Basque Country)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. The Basque Country at a glance 5. Conclusions

Together, the social, cultural, geographical, and economic The Basque Country is tradition and modernity. The diversity conditions of the Basque Country offer a broad range of of its landscapes and peoples, together with its love of attractive opportunities. Indicators such as the Human tradition, and the wish to advance forward, have fashioned Development Index (HDI), which takes a wide range of an open society in which individual customs and ways of aspects into account, such as life expectancy at birth, life can coexist alongside the most modern manifestations literacy levels of the adult population, educational level of art, culture and architecture. and income levels, are extremely favourable. It has successfully preserved its internationally-recognized The region ranks third in the world according to the Human natural scenery: broad social diversity, an ambitious offer Development Index in aspects such as life expectancy at birth, which stands at 80.8 years, one of the highest in of art and cultural activities, as well as an extensive variety Europe and the combined enrolment rates of its primary, of leisure and sports pursuits. It is a country open to new secondary and tertiary education are among the best in trends thanks to its international festivals, including film, Europe due to the high quality of Basque education centres. music and other artistic forms. It has world-class cultural infrastructures and is international headquarters of major The region's high GDP per capita and employment rates, scientific, economic and business conferences. the low unemployment and crime rates, compared to other European countries, which have not varied substantially ESS-Bilbao represents the culmination of 20 years of over recent years, makes the Basque Country an attractive, continued efforts to place the Basque Country at the safe place to live and work. 31 forefront of the scientific, technological and business The Basque Country is an integrated system of cities development of Spain and Southern Europe as a whole. located in a strategic place in Europe, making it a veritable Euro-City. It has modern communications, road, train and As a site, Bilbao represents a safe bet as the metropolitan air transport infrastructures that allow for easy and flexible area of the city represents, moreover, an international connections with the rest of Spain and Europe. Located cultural, financial and business centre of the highest level. on the international Lisbon-Stockholm euro-Atlantic axis, All this in an unparalleled natural environment, with Bilbao airport is the most important passenger traffic centre innumerable opportunities for leisure and culture and for in the North of Spain. the enjoyment of life.

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Conclusions 6. Useful links

General information: Social activities:

www.euskadi.net www.sansebastianfestival.com www.eustat.es www.heinekenjazzaldia.com www.turismoa.euskadi.net www.jazzvitoria.com www.destinospaisvasco.com www.bilbaobbklive.com/2009 www.athletic-club.net Connectivity: www.realsociedad.com www.alaves.com www.bilbaoport.es www.euskalsurf.com www.puertopasajes.net www.ligaact.com www.aena.es www.fipv.net www.renfe.es www.fundacioneuskadi.com www.feve.es www.fvpyc.org www.euskotren.es www.termibus.es 32 Tourist information, Main Cities: www.metrobilbao.net www.bilbao.net Education: www.visitbilbao.info www.sansebastianturismo.com www.dsbilbao.org www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/turismo www.colegioaleman.net www.st-george.com Tourist information, Small cities: www.asob.es www.c-francaisbilbao.com www.bakio.com www.ehu.es www.bermeokoudala.net www.dipc.ehu.es www.balmaseda.net www.ehu.es/biofisica www.durango-udala.net www.mondragon.edu www.durangaldea.com www.tecnun.es www.gernika-lumo.net www.deusto.es www.getxo.net www.gordexola.net Culture and arts: www.gorliz.net www.portugalete.com www.guggenheim-bilbao.es www.museobilbao.com www.museoreproduccionesbilbao.org www.euskal-museoa.org www.museomaritimobilbao.org www.eduardo-chillida.com www.teatroarriaga.com

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Useful links Sources

• Report of public health 2006, Department of Health of the Basque Country • Investing in the Basque Country, SPRI • OECD Regions at a Glance, OECD 2007 • Regional report: Basque Science, edition of Nature 12 June 2008 • AENA annual report 2007 • EUSTAT (Basque Statistic Institute), Human development index 2007 • Euskadi in the EU-27, 2008 • UNDP 2007 Human Development Report • Web site Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (www.aena.es) • Web site Bilbao Port (www.bilbaoport.es) • Web site Pasaia Port (www.puertopasajes.net) • Web site (www.metrobilbao.net) • Web site RENFE (www.renfe.es) • Web site FEVE (www.feve.es) • Web site Euskotren (www.euskotren.es) • Web site Termibus (www.termibus.es) • Web site Basque Government, Department of Transports and Public Works (http://www.garraioak.ejgv.euskadi.net/r41-430/es/contenidos/informacion/4429/ es_4081/es_15725.html) • Web site Basque Government, Health Department • Web site Spanish-Living (www.spanish-living.com) • Web site German School San Bonifacio (www.dsbilbao.org) • Web site German School San Alberto Magno (www.colegioaleman.net) • Web site St. George's English School of Bilbao (www.st-george.com) • Web site American School of Bilbao (www.asob.es) • Web site French School of Bilbao (www.c-francaisbilbao.com) • Web site University of the Basque Country (EHU–UPV) (www.ehu.es) • Web site DIPC (EHU-UPV) (www.dipc.ehu.es) • Web site UB (EHU–UPV/CSIC) (www.ehu.es/biofisica) • Web site University of Mondragon (www.mondragon.edu) • Web site University of Deusto (www.deusto.es) • Web site University of Navarra (www.tecnun.es)

Quality of Life in the Basque Country. Sources