Demographic Imbalances in Spain: Population Density Trends
**Demographic Imbalances in Spain**
In 2008, data revealed that the population of Spain amounted to 46 million people. Their distribution is studied by the density of the population, which relates the population of an area to its size in square kilometers.
D = Population / Area (km2) = Inhabitants per km2
The Spanish population density increased to 91.1 inhabitants per km2 in 2008. However, there are serious imbalances between areas of high concentration, exceeding the national average, and areas of depopulation that do not reach 25 inhabitants per km2. There are two types of areas:
- High-density areas: Madrid, suburbs of the Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
- Low-density areas: Located in the interior of the peninsula, with the lowest figures in mountainous areas, sometimes less than 10 inhabitants per km2.
Factors Explaining the Distribution Throughout History
Pre-Industrial Era
In an era where the economy was basically agrarian, maximum populations stood on the shores of plains with mild winters. However, human factors also influenced this distribution. In the 16th century, the discovery of America brought great economic prosperity to Castilla, making it the most populated area of the peninsula. In the 17th century, the economic crisis caused Castilla to recover slowly, and population movements originated in the periphery. As a result, in the 18th century, the population distribution had inverted; the highest density areas were located on the shores and islands involved in maritime trade, and the lowest in the peninsular interior.
Industrial Era
Between the mid-19th century and the crisis of 1975, natural factors lost importance, and the contrasts in the distribution of the population sharpened. Madrid’s weight increased (being the capital), as did remote regions. In some cases, this growth was due to natural increases, as in Galicia, Andalusia, and Murcia. In other cases, it was due to the installation of the first industries in Asturias, the Basque Country, and Catalonia, and then along the Ebro and Mediterranean axes. Tourism also played a role, while the hinterland continued to lose population.
Post-Industrial Era
Since the 1975 crisis, contrasts have tended to decrease. The crisis reduced the attraction of industrial areas and decreased emigration from interior areas, which even received returnees. After the crisis, current factors of development, spatial diffusion of services, technical agriculture, and foreign immigration reinforced the population of Madrid but also led to demographic deconcentration, favoring a balance.
Territorial Imbalance
Today, all communities have a low birth rate, mortality, and natural growth. However, there are contrasts in the age structure, i.e., the degree of youth or age. This structure depends on inherited and current causes.
- Inherited causes: These are related to migration, which causes aging in emigration regions (decreasing fertility and increasing mortality) and rejuvenation in immigration areas. In Spain, migration took place between 1950 and 1975 from inland agricultural areas to industrial areas on the outskirts of Madrid.
- Current causes: These are the new factors of economic development and foreign immigration. Since 1995, foreign immigration has raised the birth rate and contributed to a younger population.
There are communities with the highest populations, high birth rates, low mortality rates, and high natural growth. These areas have a relatively younger structure and include Madrid and the Balearic Islands, which have received strong foreign immigration.
Other communities are experiencing population decline, with low birth rates, high mortality rates, and low natural growth. These areas have an aging population structure and correspond to Galicia and inland communities with less immigration.