Spain is a country where regional identity and local traditions stand out, from the ritual of siesta—observed by 22% daily, mostly in the south—to cultural landmarks like UNESCO-listed flamenco (since 2010). The page also looks at what’s changing demographically, including a large foreign-born population, and pairs it with today’s economy—unemployment at 11.3% in 2023 and GDP of 1.582 trillion USD. Then it guides you through where people live, how Spain is governed, and how major cities connect by rail, road, and ports.
Key Takeaways
- Alhambra Palace in Granada visited by 2.6 million in 2023, UNESCO site since 1984
- Flamenco declared UNESCO Intangible Heritage 2010, 1.5 million practice it
- La Tomatina festival in Buñol attracts 20,000 annually, tomatoes thrown 120 tons
- As of January 1, 2023, Spain's total population stands at 48,085,361 inhabitants, marking a 0.03% increase from the previous year according to official municipal registers
- In 2022, the birth rate in Spain was 7.1 live births per 1,000 inhabitants, the lowest in the EU, with 322,075 total births
- Spain's median age in 2023 is 45.9 years, reflecting one of the oldest populations globally
- Spain's GDP in 2023 was 1.582 trillion USD nominal, 4th in EU
- GDP per capita in Spain reached 32,677 USD in 2023, up 5.2% from 2022
- Unemployment rate in Spain averaged 11.3% in 2023, down from 12.9% in 2022
- Spain's total area is 505,990 square kilometers, including Balearic and Canary Islands
- Highest point in Spain is Teide volcano on Tenerife at 3,718 meters above sea level
- Spain's coastline length is 4,964 km on mainland plus 1,660 km islands total ~6,624 km
- King Felipe VI has reigned since June 19, 2014, as constitutional monarch of Spain
- Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with 350-seat Congress of Deputies
- Current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez since June 2018, PSOE party
Spain saw 2.6 million visitors at Granada’s Alhambra in 2023, alongside booming transport and shifting demographics.
Related reading
01 · Category
Culture19 stats
01
Alhambra Palace in Granada visited by 2.6 million in 2023, UNESCO site since 1984
02
Flamenco declared UNESCO Intangible Heritage 2010, 1.5 million practice it
03
La Tomatina festival in Buñol attracts 20,000 annually, tomatoes thrown 120 tons
04
Siesta tradition observed by 22% daily, mostly south Spain
05
Bullfighting events 1,525 in 2023, attendance 1.1 million
06
Tapas culture: average Spaniard eats 5 tapas/week
07
Football: La Liga 20 teams, Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry El Clásico
08
UNESCO sites in Spain: 50 total, most in world tied with Italy
09
Running of the Bulls San Fermín Pamplona 8 days, 6 runs
10
Picasso born Málaga 1881, Guernica painting 1937
11
Cervantes Don Quixote 1605, most translated book after Bible
12
PISA 2022 scores: Reading 474, Math 473, Science 485 for Spain
13
University enrollment 1.6 million students, 84 universities 2023
14
Life expectancy reflects health system, cancer survival 5yr 61% Spain vs EU avg
15
Obesity rate 23.8% adults Spain 2023, lower than US 42%
16
Literacy rate 98.6% adults over 15 in Spain 2023
17
Divorce rate 1.8 per 1,000 population 2022
18
Nobel laureates from Spain: 9 total, 5 Literature, 2 Peace, 1 Chemistry, 1 Physiology
19
Film industry: Goya Awards 38th 2024, 29 categories
Interpretation
Culture Interpretation
Spain’s culture is strongly centered on living, high-volume traditions, from 2.6 million visitors to the Alhambra in 2023 and 1.1 million attending bullfights to flamenco practiced by about 1.5 million and tapas enjoyed at roughly 5 per week.
02 · Category
Demographics27 stats
01
As of January 1, 2023, Spain's total population stands at 48,085,361 inhabitants, marking a 0.03% increase from the previous year according to official municipal registers
02
In 2022, the birth rate in Spain was 7.1 live births per 1,000 inhabitants, the lowest in the EU, with 322,075 total births
03
Spain's median age in 2023 is 45.9 years, reflecting one of the oldest populations globally
04
Foreign-born population in Spain reached 8,575,497 in 2023, accounting for 17.8% of the total population, primarily from Latin America and Europe
05
Life expectancy at birth in Spain for 2022 was 83.2 years overall, with females at 86.0 years and males at 80.3 years
06
Urban population percentage in Spain is 80.8% as of 2023, with Madrid and Barcelona as largest cities
07
Spain's population density is 94.3 people per square kilometer in 2023, highest in Madrid region at 5,400/km²
08
In 2022, there were 9,362,135 people aged 65 and over in Spain, comprising 19.5% of the population
09
Net migration rate to Spain in 2022 was 5.6 migrants per 1,000 population, totaling around 270,000 net inflows
10
Fertility rate in Spain dropped to 1.16 children per woman in 2022, far below replacement level of 2.1
11
Catalonia hosts 7,696,244 residents as of 2023, 16% of Spain's total population
12
Andalusia's population grew to 8,487,404 in 2023, driven by immigration and natural growth
13
Madrid region's population is 6,802,852 in 2023, with 1 in 7 Spaniards living there
14
Valencia Community has 5,056,617 inhabitants in 2023, up 1.2% from 2022
15
Basque Country population is 2,239,201 in 2023, with low birth rates offset by migration
16
Galicia's population declined to 2,689,255 in 2023, with negative natural growth of -12,000
17
Canary Islands population reached 2,202,431 in 2023, growing 3.1% due to tourism-related migration
18
Balearic Islands have 1,198,640 residents in 2023, density 242/km² highest among autonomous communities
19
Castilla y León population is 2,371,967 in 2023, aging rapidly with 28% over 65
20
Murcia region population 1,541,787 in 2023, growth rate 1.8% highest in mainland Spain
21
Youth population (0-14 years) in Spain is 14.5% or 6.9 million in 2023
22
Working-age population (15-64) constitutes 65.2% or 31.3 million in Spain 2023
23
Spain's sex ratio is 95.9 males per 100 females in 2023
24
Infant mortality rate in Spain is 2.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022
25
Total dependency ratio in Spain is 53.4% in 2023, highest in EU
26
Religious affiliation: 61% Catholic, 26% non-religious in Spain 2023 survey
27
Language speakers: 41% understand Catalan, 8% Galician as native in 2023
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
Spain’s demographics are marked by slow population growth and pronounced aging, with a median age of 45.9 years and life expectancy reaching 83.2 years, alongside a low EU birth rate of 7.1 births per 1,000 people, while 17.8% of residents are foreign-born.
03 · Category
Economy20 stats
01
Spain's GDP in 2023 was 1.582 trillion USD nominal, 4th in EU
02
GDP per capita in Spain reached 32,677 USD in 2023, up 5.2% from 2022
03
Unemployment rate in Spain averaged 11.3% in 2023, down from 12.9% in 2022
04
Public debt-to-GDP ratio was 107.7% in 2023 for Spain
05
Inflation rate (CPI) in Spain was 3.5% average in 2023
06
Tourism contributed 12.8% to Spain's GDP in 2023, with 85.1 million visitors
07
Exports of goods from Spain totaled 383 billion EUR in 2023, machinery and vehicles leading
08
Imports to Spain were 452 billion EUR in 2023, energy products dominant
09
Corporate tax rate in Spain is 25% standard, 15% for new SMEs in 2023
10
Minimum wage in Spain is 1,134 EUR gross monthly in 2024, up 5% from 2023
11
Renewable energy share in Spain's electricity mix was 50.4% in 2023
12
Manufacturing sector employs 12.5% of workforce, contributing 14% to GDP in 2023
13
Services sector accounts for 71.2% of Spain's GDP and 74% employment in 2023
14
Agriculture contributes 2.5% to GDP, employs 4% workforce in 2023, olives and wine key
15
Stock market capitalization in Spain (IBEX 35) was 800 billion EUR end-2023
16
Foreign direct investment inflows to Spain 38.2 billion EUR in 2023
17
Household saving rate in Spain fell to 10.2% of disposable income in 2023
18
Labor productivity per hour worked in Spain 55.3 EUR in 2023 PPP terms
19
R&D expenditure in Spain 1.44% of GDP in 2023, 27 billion EUR total
20
Current account balance surplus 2.1% of GDP or 34 billion EUR in 2023
Interpretation
Economy Interpretation
In Spain’s economy, rising living standards alongside improving labor and price stability stand out, with GDP per capita reaching 32,677 USD in 2023 and unemployment falling to 11.3% as inflation averages 3.5%, even though public debt remains high at 107.7% of GDP.
More related reading
04 · Category
Geography19 stats
01
Spain's total area is 505,990 square kilometers, including Balearic and Canary Islands
02
Highest point in Spain is Teide volcano on Tenerife at 3,718 meters above sea level
03
Spain's coastline length is 4,964 km on mainland plus 1,660 km islands total ~6,624 km
04
Iberian Peninsula area occupied by Spain is 82% or 492,000 km²
05
Number of islands in Spain: 60, including Balearics (7 major), Canaries (7 major)
06
Average annual temperature in Spain 14.5°C, ranging from 8°C north to 18°C south
07
Precipitation average 636 mm/year, driest in southeast Almeria <200mm, wettest Galicia >1,500mm
08
Forest cover in Spain 37% or 18.6 million hectares in 2023
09
Protected natural areas cover 27.2% of Spain's territory, including 15 national parks
10
Sierra Nevada mountains highest mainland peak Mulhacén 3,478m
11
Ebro River longest in Spain at 940 km, basin covers 86,000 km²
12
Tagus River 1,007 km total, 716 km in Spain, flows to Atlantic
13
Guadalquivir River 657 km, only navigable major river in Spain
14
Biodiversity: Spain has 8,670 vascular plant species, 25% endemic
15
Desert areas: Tabernas Desert 280 km², only true desert in Europe
16
Volcanic activity: Canary Islands have 10 active volcanoes, last eruption La Palma 2021
17
Seismic risk: Spain averages 1,000 earthquakes/year, mostly mild <3 Richter
18
Solar irradiation average 1,650 kWh/m²/year, highest in Europe
19
Wind potential: 800 TW h/year onshore, leader in Europe
Interpretation
Geography Interpretation
Spain’s geography is defined by scale and variety, with a total area of 505,990 square kilometers and an island-studded coastline of about 6,624 km, while temperatures swing from roughly 8°C in the north to 18°C in the south.
05 · Category
Government14 stats
01
King Felipe VI has reigned since June 19, 2014, as constitutional monarch of Spain
02
Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with 350-seat Congress of Deputies
03
Current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez since June 2018, PSOE party
04
17 autonomous communities with varying self-government powers, plus 2 autonomous cities
05
Senate has 265 members elected plus 58 appointed by regions in 2023
06
Voter turnout in 2023 general election 70.33%
07
Defense budget 1.28% of GDP or 20.3 billion EUR in 2023
08
EU membership since 1986, Eurozone since 1999, Schengen since 1995
09
Corruption Perceptions Index score 60/100 rank 36th globally in 2023
10
Press Freedom Index rank 30th with score 79.72 in 2023 for Spain
11
Spain ratified Paris Agreement, emissions target -23% by 2030 vs 1990
12
Gender equality: 47.5% women in Congress after 2023 election
13
Regional parliaments: Catalonia 135 seats, elections 2024 pending
14
Judicial system: 5,400 judges, Supreme Court in Madrid
Interpretation
Government Interpretation
Spain’s Government is defined by a stable constitutional framework and active representation, with King Felipe VI reigning since 2014 and a parliamentary system combining 350-seat Congress and a Senate with 265 elected plus 58 region-appointed members, alongside a strong 70.33% turnout in the 2023 general election.
06 · Category
Infrastructure14 stats
01
High-speed rail network AVE spans 3,973 km in 2023, longest in Europe
02
Total road network in Spain 163,784 km, including 17,300 km motorways in 2023
03
Airports in Spain: 47 with paved runways, handling 238 million passengers in 2023
04
Ports: 46 major ports, Valencia busiest container port in Mediterranean with 5.2M TEU 2023
05
Electricity consumption 244 TWh in 2023, 42% renewable
06
Water desalination capacity 6.2 million m³/day, 65% of Europe's total in 2023
07
Mobile penetration 118.5 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2023 Spain
08
Broadband fixed subscriptions 35.2 per 100 households, 92% fiber coverage 2023
09
Public transport: Madrid Metro 293 km, 12 lines, 1.7 billion passengers/year pre-covid
10
Barcelona Metro 184 km, integrated with FGC
11
Renewable energy installed capacity 59 GW in 2023, solar PV 25 GW, wind 30 GW
12
Gas pipelines network 9,000 km high-pressure, LNG terminals 7 with 25 BCM capacity
13
Healthcare expenditure 10.7% of GDP or 170 billion EUR in 2023 Spain
14
Hospital beds 2.95 per 1,000 population, 299,000 total beds 2023
Interpretation
Infrastructure Interpretation
Spain’s infrastructure is rapidly scaling across transport and utilities, with the AVE high speed network reaching 3,973 km and electricity generation already at 42% renewables, supported by large capacity in water desalination at 6.2 million m³ per day.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Spain Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/spain-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Spain Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/spain-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Spain Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/spain-statistics.
Sources & references
61 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level