Spain's Population Hits Record 49.57 Million with Over 10 Million Foreign-Born Residents

Spain's population reached an unprecedented 49,570,725 inhabitants as of January 1, 2026, marking the highest number in the country's history. This growth, mainly driven by immigration, saw the foreign-born population surpass 10 million for the first time, representing 14.6% of the total population, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

During the last quarter of 2025 alone, Spain's population increased by 81,520, largely because of immigrant arrivals, which significantly offset a decline of 18,696 in residents born within Spain. The most numerous immigrant nationalities were Colombian (36,600 arrivals), Venezuelan (27,000), and Moroccan (22,000), while emigration was led by Moroccans (13,000), Colombians (12,500), and Spanish nationals (7,900).

Regional population growth was uneven, with the Comunitat Valenciana, Castilla-La Mancha, and Comunidad de Madrid experiencing the highest increases, while Balearic Islands and Melilla registered slight declines.

Over the past year, Spain's population grew by approximately 442,000 people, mainly due to foreign-born residents compensating for a natural decrease in births versus deaths. Notably, demographic expert Albert Esteve pointed out that one-third of babies born in 2024 had mothers born abroad, highlighting the significant role of immigrant women of childbearing age. However, the overall immigration growth rate has slowed compared to previous years, with 2022’s growth at 598,000 compared to 442,000 most recently, as noted by Diego Ramiro of the CSIC.

Social landscape shifts also accompany these demographic changes. Single-person households now constitute 28% of all homes, with average household size at 2.49. This rise in single occupancy is linked to factors such as young adults leaving home earlier and increasing divorce rates.

While the trend of increasing foreign-born residents is expected to continue, projections suggest that Spain reaching a total population of 50 million may take longer than previously anticipated. This demographic milestone and evolving population dynamics underscore the profound impact of immigration on Spain’s societal structure and future development.