Immigration in Spain: Trends, Impacts, and Factors
Impact of Immigration in Spain
Evolution of Immigration in Spain
Spain has transitioned in recent decades from being a migrant-sending country to receiving significant migration. After 1973, with the oil crisis, Spanish emigration abroad began to decrease, and many migrants returned. The restoration of democracy coincided with a phase of balance in the migration balance that lasted until the 1990s. The strong economic growth that Spain has shown since then is the origin of the strong growth of foreign immigration. Since 2000, Spain has experienced one of the highest immigration rates in the world.
Distribution of Immigration in Spain
The foreign population is concentrated in the most dynamic areas of the country, which generate a greater need for labor. The areas in Spain with the largest number of migrants are:
- Madrid and its area of influence
- The Mediterranean region
- The Islands
Many EU immigrants, seeking a milder climate than their countries of origin, are mainly concentrated on the coasts of the Levant, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Regions with fewer immigrants include Leon, Extremadura, Asturias, Galicia, the Basque Country, and Cantabria. Notably, almost 40% of all immigrants registered in Spain are reported in three provinces: Madrid, Barcelona, and Alicante. Municipalities with the highest number of foreigners compared to the national population are Rojales, Teulada, Calpe, and Javea (all in the province of Alicante). The city of over 50,000 people with the highest number of foreigners in Spain is Torrevieja. The geographical distribution of immigrants depends on their nationality. In Madrid, for example, Ibero-Americans and Africans are significant groups.
Origin of Immigrants
Immigration to Spain is very diverse. Most immigrants come from Ibero-America, followed by those from the European Union and North Africa. At a greater distance are those from non-EU Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Far East, the Indian subcontinent, North America, Asia, and the Philippines/Oceania.
Socio-Economic Characteristics
By Age and Sex
In 2005, 53.43% of foreigners registered were male, compared to 46.60% female. However, there are significant differences depending on the origin of the immigrants. Males are the majority among immigrants originating from the European continent, while Africa has the highest percentage of Latino women. Most immigrants come to Spain for work, and most foreign residents in Spain are between 20 and 39 years old. The proportion of those over 65 is more limited, although there is a significant proportion of retirees within the immigrant community. The population pyramid of the resident foreign population in Spain has a narrower base and a broad center, with a negligible peak when compared with that of the Spanish population.
Labor and Occupation
The professional sectors employing the most immigrants are the service sector and construction. In industry and agriculture, the proportion is much lower. Occupation varies according to nationality.
Causes of Immigration in Spain
Immigration to Spain has a multifactorial character:
- Economic Development: The most important factor is the economic development since 1993, reflecting a greater need for labor.
- Cultural and Linguistic Identity: For Latin America, cultural and linguistic identity is an important attraction factor.
- Climate and Lifestyle: The mild climate and attractive way of life attract many “luxury immigrants” from Europe, including wealthy individuals, retired workers, and Internet entrepreneurs.
- Geographical Proximity to Africa: The nearness of Morocco and the Canary Islands is a factor.
Consequences of Immigration in Spain
The most striking consequence is the increase in population. In addition, the higher birth rate of the immigrant population is the main cause of the rebound in fertility that has occurred in the country. In 2005, 15% of births in Spain were to women of foreign nationality. Secondly, the immigrant population tends to be between 25-30 years old, which contributes to a younger Spanish population.