Immigration Drives Spain's Population Rise and Fuels Nearly Half of Economic Growth
Spain's population surpasses 49.5 million, driven by a historic surge in immigrants who fuel nearly half of the country's recent economic growth.
- • Spain's population reached 49.57 million in 2026, with over 10 million foreign-born residents for the first time.
- • Foreign workers accounted for 47% of Spain's economic growth between 2022 and 2025.
- • Key sectors such as hospitality, construction, and agriculture heavily rely on immigrant labor.
- • Immigration has helped moderate inflation but productivity growth has dipped due to sectoral concentration of immigrants.
Key details
Spain's population reached a record 49.57 million as of January 1, 2026, with immigrants playing a pivotal role in this growth and the nation's economic expansion. For the first time, over 10 million residents in Spain were born abroad, marking a significant demographic shift. This surge in foreign-born residents contrasts with a decline in the native-born population, highlighting the critical role immigration plays in sustaining Spain's demographics.
According to official data, the foreign-born population increased by nearly 1.9 million over recent years, while the native-born population decreased by approximately 320,000. The foreign population expanded by 56,431 in the last quarter of 2025 alone, reaching 7.24 million, comprising 14.6% of the total population. Predominant immigrant nationalities include Colombians (36,600), Venezuelans (27,000), and Moroccans (22,000). Meanwhile, emigration figures show Moroccans and Colombians as major groups leaving Spain, alongside Spanish nationals.
This demographic evolution has significantly impacted Spain's economy. Foreign workers contributed to 47% of Spain's economic growth from 2022 to 2025, accounting for 4.2 percentage points out of an 8.9% GDP increase. Immigrants have been instrumental in key sectors such as hospitality, construction, commerce, and agriculture, where they have filled 60% to 70% of all new jobs created post-pandemic. The influx of immigrant labor has also tempered inflation in high-demand sectors by enabling production to meet increased demand without excessive price rises; for instance, the tourism sector's price index rose by 17.9% in Spain compared to 21.3% in the Eurozone during 2019-2024.
However, challenges remain. Productivity growth has slightly declined due to immigrant concentration in lower-value sectors. Immigrants face higher unemployment and lower wages relative to natives, with disparities especially notable among African immigrants compared to Latin Americans. Policy analysis suggests that legalizing undocumented immigrants improves their employment outcomes more effectively than temporary worker programs.
These demographic and economic trends underscore immigration's dual role in propelling Spain's population growth and economic performance, while also highlighting the need for policies addressing labor market inequalities.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
