Spain Sees First Rise in Births in a Decade Amid Demographic Shifts
Spain's birth rate increased by 1.0% in 2025 for the first time in ten years, but mortality rose, keeping population growth in decline.
- • Spain recorded 321,164 births in 2025, a 1.0% increase from 2024—the first rise in a decade.
- • Births to mothers aged 40+ increased to 10.4% from 7.8% in 2015, reflecting delayed motherhood.
- • Despite more births, deaths rose 2.5% to 446,982, leading to a negative natural population growth of 122,167.
- • The Community of Madrid and Basque Country saw the largest birth increases; Melilla and Ceuta the largest declines.
Key details
In 2025, Spain recorded a total of 321,164 births, marking a 1.0% increase compared to 2024, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute. This rise is notable as it ends a decade-long trend of declining birth rates. The increase translates to 3,159 more births than the previous year, signaling a modest but significant demographic shift.
Alongside this trend, the age of motherhood continues to rise, with births to mothers aged 40 or older increasing to 10.4% in 2025 from 7.8% in 2015. However, mortality also rose, with 446,982 deaths recorded in 2025—a 2.5% increase from 2024. Despite more births, Spain's natural population growth remained negative with a vegetative balance deficit of 122,167 people, as deaths outnumbered births.
Regionally, the Community of Madrid and the Basque Country saw the largest birth increases, by 3.3% and 3.0% respectively. Conversely, Melilla and Ceuta experienced the steepest declines in births, dropping by 10.1% and 6.6%. Mortality rises were most notable in Ceuta (16.5%) and Melilla (15.2%), while only Madrid, Murcia, Melilla, and Ceuta recorded positive natural growth rates.
Monthly birth peaks occurred in September and October, with the highest death counts in January and December. The data highlights gradual demographic changes with implications for Spain’s social and economic planning as the population continues to age and natural decrease persists despite the recent birth rate uptick.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
