An opinion piece published on Wednesday 18 June by L'Empordà describes Figueres as an open, liberal and welcoming capital, comparing it favourably with Girona and, in some respects, Perpinyà in French Catalonia. While the article is comment rather than official policy, the claim matters locally because it speaks directly to how residents, newcomers and business owners understand daily life in the Alt Empordà county seat.

Official population data show Figueres is a diverse municipality with a significant foreign population, according to Idescat, Catalonia's public statistics institute. That context gives a factual basis for reporting why arguments about openness and integration carry weight in the city, even though the value judgment itself remains the author's opinion. Readers can review how we handle sourced reporting in our Editorial Policy.

What the published opinion says about Figueres

The article's central argument is that Figueres has inclusive ways of life and lacks the historical or social inhibitions that, in the author's view, affect other nearby cities. It also says the writer would consider Figueres a good place to live.

"Figueres és una capital oberta i liberal, més que Girona i, en certs aspectes, més que Perpinyà."

That statement is an opinion, not a measurable official ranking. There is no cited institutional index in the source that proves one city is more open or liberal than another.

What official data can confirm about the city

Idescat census and population series data confirm that Figueres is a substantial urban centre in northern Catalonia and that it has a notable foreign resident population. Those figures do not measure openness as a value, but they do help explain why integration and social connection are practical issues for local families, schools, employers and public services.

  • Figueres is the capital of Alt Empordà, the county centred on the northern Costa Brava and the border corridor with France.
  • Population and housing census material for Figueres is published by Idescat.
  • Idescat also maintains series on total and foreign population in the municipality.
  • Separate Idescat tables show foreign population by nationality, age and sex, including residents from Italy in 2023.

For residents, the practical consequence is straightforward: debates about whether a city feels welcoming affect housing, schooling, neighbourhood life and local commerce. For expats and new arrivals, the same debate shapes decisions about where to settle and how easily they may build social ties.

Why social connection matters beyond civic image

International public health and policy bodies treat social connection as more than a cultural preference. The OECD has published research on inequalities in social connections and loneliness, and the World Health Organization has established a Commission on Social Connection.

Those sources do not assess Figueres specifically. However, they provide wider evidence that inclusion, neighbourly ties and everyday integration can affect wellbeing. In a city with a mixed local and foreign-born population, that can matter for parents, older residents and people arriving without established support networks.

What readers can take from this now

The verified facts support this narrower conclusion: Figueres is a diverse city, and questions of openness and integration are locally relevant. The broader claim that it is more liberal than Girona or Perpinyà remains a subjective assessment made in a published opinion article.

Residents who want to check the demographic context can consult Idescat's municipal data directly. If you want to query our sourcing or raise a correction, use our Contact Us page.

Primary sources: Idescat, World Health Organization. Reported by Idescat, Idescat / Stats.cat, OECD, L'Empordà.