Spain has a population of approximately 48 million people in 2025, making it the 30th most populous country in the world and the fifth most populous in the European Union. Spread across the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, plus the Balearic and Canary Islands, this population gives Spain an average density of about 95 people per square kilometre — though that figure hides enormous regional differences between crowded coasts and emptying interiors.
How Many People Live in Spain?
At roughly 48,000,000 residents, Spain sits just behind countries like Colombia and South Korea in the global rankings and just ahead of Argentina. Within Europe it trails only Russia, Germany, France and Italy. The figure has crept upward in recent years almost entirely because of immigration: Spain recently surpassed the 48 million mark for the first time, a milestone driven by new arrivals rather than births.
Population density tells only part of the story. While the national average is around 95 people per km², the province of Madrid packs in more than 800 per km², whereas vast stretches of the interior — Soria, Teruel, Cuenca — fall below 10 per km², densities comparable to the Nordic Arctic. This contrast is central to understanding modern Spanish demography.
Growth Rate and Birth Trends
Spain's population is growing very slowly, at an annual rate of about 0.12%. That modest figure conceals a striking reality: natural change has been negative since 2015, meaning more people die each year than are born. The country's total fertility rate has fallen to roughly 1.2 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to keep a population stable without migration.
The decline began suddenly. After the end of the Franco dictatorship in the 1970s and the rapid modernisation that followed, Spain experienced one of the fastest fertility drops ever recorded, plunging from large families to one of the lowest birth rates in the world within a single generation. Today, growth is sustained purely by immigration, and projections suggest Spain's population will only hold steady — or rise gently toward 50 million by 2050 — if migration continues at current levels.
The Largest Cities
Spain's three biggest cities are Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, all of which anchor much larger metropolitan regions:
- Madrid — the capital, with about 3.3 million city residents and around 6.8 million in its metropolitan area. Located at the geographic heart of the peninsula, it is Spain's political, financial and cultural centre.
- Barcelona — roughly 1.6 million in the city and about 5.6 million across its metro area. Capital of Catalonia, it is celebrated for Gaudí's architecture, Mediterranean beaches and a distinct cultural identity.
- Valencia — around 800,000 city residents and 1.6 million in the wider area, famous as the birthplace of paella and home to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
Other major urban centres include Seville, Zaragoza, Málaga and Bilbao. The clear pattern is coastal and capital concentration: most Spaniards live near the sea or in Madrid, while the rural interior continues to lose people.
"Empty Spain" and an Ageing Population
One of the defining demographic themes is la España vaciada — "emptied Spain." As young people migrate from the rural interior toward coastal cities and the capital, whole villages have shrunk or been abandoned. More than half of Spain's 8,000-plus municipalities now have fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, and some are completely deserted.
At the same time, Spaniards are living remarkably long lives. Life expectancy is around 84 years, among the highest on Earth and rivalling Japan. Combined with low fertility, this has pushed the median age to roughly 45 — one of the oldest in Europe — and created a steadily rising old-age dependency ratio that places growing pressure on pensions and healthcare.
Language, Religion and Diversity
The official national language is Castilian Spanish, but Catalan, Basque (Euskara), Galician and Valencian hold co-official status in their respective regions, reflecting the country's strong regional identities. Immigrants now make up around 15% of the population — a dramatic shift from barely 1% in 1998 — with the largest communities arriving from Latin America, Morocco and Romania.
In terms of belief, Spain remains culturally Catholic: a little over half the population identifies as Roman Catholic, though only a minority attend Mass regularly, and roughly 37% now describe themselves as non-religious. The country is governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. For more background on the nation's geography, economy and culture, see our spain country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Spain in 2025?
Spain has approximately 48 million people in 2025, making it the 30th most populous country in the world and the fifth most populous in Europe.
Is Spain's population growing or shrinking?
It is growing slowly, at about 0.12% per year. However, this growth comes entirely from immigration — Spain has recorded more deaths than births every year since 2015, so without new arrivals the population would be declining.
What is the largest city in Spain?
Madrid is the largest city and the capital, with about 3.3 million residents in the city proper and roughly 6.8 million across its metropolitan area. Barcelona is the second largest.
Why is Spain's population ageing so quickly?
A combination of one of the world's lowest fertility rates (around 1.2 children per woman) and very high life expectancy (about 84 years) has pushed the median age to roughly 45, making Spain one of the oldest societies in Europe.