Spain Population Hits All-Time High
Recent Census data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), puts the number of people registered as resident in Spain on January 1st 2022 at 47,475,420, a historical high, 90,313 more inhabitants compared to the previous year (a 0.19% increase).
This figure represents a recovery from the decline recorded in 2020, a year marked by deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the recovery is mainly due to a rise in the foreign population, which increased by 102,784 people to 5,542,932 people and now accounts for 11.7% of the total, a trend that has not been recorded since 2013.
The average age of the population registered in the census is 44.1 years. The average age of Spaniards is 45 years and that of foreigners overall is 37.1 years. The average age of residents from other EU countries is 39.6 years. The highest average ages among the predominant nationalities are found among citizens of the UK (54.1 years), Germany (50.0) and France (43). The lowest ones correspond to citizens of Honduras (30.4 years), Pakistan (31.1) and Morocco (32).
The regions with the highest number of foreigners are Andalusia (741,378), Aragon (164,762) and Asturias (45,630). Those with the lowest presence of non-Spanish nationals are La Rioja (41,755), Melilla (11,675) and Ceuta (4,910). Residents from other EU countries account for a total of 1,617,911 people out of the almost 5.5 million non-Spaniards. Of these, the most numerous are Romanians (623,097), followed by Italians (273,889) and Germans (115,099). Of the remaining foreigners registered, the following nationalities stand out as having a high representation: Moroccans (883,243), Colombians (314,679) and Britons (293,171). As a result of the war with Russia, the number of Ukrainian residents increased considerably in 2022 and they are now among the 20 predominant foreign nationalities in Spain (111,443).
With respect to the most populated regions, those with the most inhabitants registered on January 1st 2022 are Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid. Those at the bottom of the list are La Rioja, Cantabria and Navarra.
Of the 8,131 total municipalities in Spain, 4,991 have a population of less than one thousand inhabitants. More than 2,000 of those can be found in Castilla y León, around 630 in Castilla-La Mancha and 620 in Aragón. In terms of larger municipalities, there are 64 municipalities in Spain with more than 100,000 inhabitants: 13 in Andalusia, 11 in Catalonia and 10 in Madrid.
Spain Triumphs In The Ranking Of The Best Cities To Live And Work In 2023 After a Report by Resonance Consultancy
10. Amsterdam
The report highlights the Dutch capital’s income equality and workforce, as well as the control in recent years of its nightlife, its art galleries and the presence of some major technology companies.
9. Singapore
The city-state gains its ranking, thanks in no small part to its investment in research, talent and corporate headquarters recruitment, which the report says will allow it to be “home to a sustainably wealthy citizenry for decades to come.
8. Madrid
Resonance Consultancy highlights how it has managed to recover from the pandemic, as well as its wide range of hotels and restaurants. It also mentions the election of the Paisaje de la Luz as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Rome
Rome, in addition to its rich history and culture, is also renowned for its gastronomy. The recent opening of the Garum Museum, that traces the history of Italian cuisine, was also highlighted.
6. Barcelona
The Catalan capital has managed to control the problem of mass tourism and is working to become a green city with the construction of bicycle lanes and traffic restrictions.
5. Dubai
In addition to the luxury and exclusive experiences that can only be enjoyed here, the report highlights that it has managed to become a major international tourist destination and one of the biggest business centres on the planet.
4. Tokyo
Safety and controlled tourism, as well as the opening of new restaurants, shopping arcades and green spaces, make Tokyo the fourth best city in the world to live and work in.
3. New York
The report highlights the work of its inhabitants during the pandemic and how they have been able to quickly restore their city to its former glory. In recent years, the city has also invested heavily in infrastructure and opened new hotels and museums.
2. Paris
Museums and recent traffic restrictions giving greater priority to residents, visitors and non-motorised vehicles are the main reasons why Paris is the second-best city in the world to live and work in. In addition, new hotels and green spaces have recently opened in the French capital.
1. London
Resonance Consultancy calls it the ‘capital of capitals’ in its report, which highlights that, despite Brexit and its political and economic instability, it continues to gain population, attracting large companies and selling a lot of real estate. It also highlights its nightlife, culture, education and the opening of new restaurants showcasing many different cuisines from around the world.