Quick facts
Spain population overview
Spain is the 6th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 47,875,490 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.1% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 131 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 325,553 births (6.8 per 1,000 people) and 459,605 deaths (9.6 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 86,176 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 30,455,000 in 1960 to 49,355,143 in 2025 — a change of +62.1%, or +0.7% per year on average. It peaked at 49,355,143 in 2025 and has declined 3.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 46.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 84.1 years; women have on average 1.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 12.6% of residents are under 15 and 21.6% are 65 or older (2025); 80.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Madrid. Spain covers 505,976 km², giving a population density of about 94.5 people per km². GDP was $1.91T in 2025 — about $38,627 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Spain population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 47,837,310 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 47,875,490 |
| World rank | #32 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #6 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 325,553 |
| Deaths per year est. | 459,605 |
| Net migration per year est. | +86,176 |
| Birth rate | 6.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 46.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 84.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 80.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 505,976 km² |
| Population density | 94.5 per km² |
| Capital | Madrid |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.91T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $38,627 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Spain population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 47,837,310 | – | – |
| 2025 | 49,355,143 | +506,303 | +1% |
| 2024 | 48,848,840 | +496,312 | +1% |
| 2023 | 48,352,528 | +566,426 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 47,786,102 | +342,281 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 47,443,821 | +84,397 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 47,359,424 | +937,121 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 46,422,303 | -154,594 | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 46,576,897 | +2,923,742 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 43,653,155 | +3,085,291 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 40,567,864 | +843,814 | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 39,724,050 | +856,728 | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 38,867,322 | +397,810 | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 38,469,512 | +978,347 | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 37,491,165 | +1,733,265 | +1% |
| 1975 | 35,757,900 | +1,943,369 | +1.1% |
| 1970 | 33,814,531 | +1,860,239 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 31,954,292 | +1,499,292 | +1% |
| 1960 | 30,455,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Spain
Population over time
- From 30,455,000 in 1960 to 47,837,310 today — up 57.1%.
- Population peaked at 49,355,143 in 2025 and is down 3.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.9 years (2024), up 14.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 6.5 births vs 8.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 2.4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 12.6% of the population is under 15 and 21.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 8.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 220.1 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 371.5 Mt in 2007 — down 40.8% since.
- Per person: 4.51 t in 2024, vs 4.22 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,303.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 0.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 19% of final energy in 2021 (+8.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 37.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 27.8% to 37.2% since 1990 — roughly 47,319 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 80.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 56.5% in 1960 (+24.1 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 26.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,327 m³ in 2022, down 35.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.91T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 58.1% since 2015.
- That works out to $38,627 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 10.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.7% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 95.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 130.3 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Spain in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Spain in 2026?
As of October 2026, Spain has an estimated population of 47,837,310. The United Nations estimated 47,875,490 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Spain growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.1% per year — roughly 131 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 325,553 births and 459,605 deaths, with net migration of +86,176.
What is the population density of Spain?
About 94.5 people per square kilometre: 47,837,310 people living on 505,976 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Spain?
The median age is 46.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 84.1 years. 12.6% of the population is under 15 and 21.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Spain rank by population?
Spain is the 32nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 6th in Europe, with 0.6% of the global population.
How has the population of Spain changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 30,455,000; by 2025 it had grown to 49,355,143 (+62.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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AfghanistanSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.