Understanding the gender gap in support for state intervention: evidence from Spain (2020–2024)

Abstract A well-established finding in public opinion research is that women are more supportive than men of government intervention in the economy. This paper examines correlates of this gender gap using five waves of nationally representative survey data from Spain (2020–2024). We address two questions. First, are structural economic factors (income, employment status, perceived fiscal benefit) associated with a reduction of the gap? We find little to no attenuation when these variables are included. Second, are perceptions—both normative (e.g., inequality, meritocracy, cooperation) and evaluative (e.g., government effectiveness)—and altruism-based predispositions associated with a reduction of the gap? We observe a modest attenuation consistent with statistical (associational) mediation, but most of the difference remains. Taken together, these patterns indicate that neither economic position nor the attitudinal measures considered substantially reduce the observed gender difference in preferences for state intervention, suggesting the value of exploring additional correlates.