Key Demographic Concepts and Population Trends in Spain
Key Demographic Concepts
Census: The individual count of a country’s population at a given time.
Real Population Growth: The sum of natural growth and net migration.
Demography: The science that quantitatively analyzes population using data obtained from various demographic sources.
Population Density: The ratio of population to surface area in km2.
Life Expectancy: Relates the number of years lived by all members of a population to the number of individuals making up that population.
Population Structure: A population’s composition by sex, age, and economic activity.
Emigration: The departure of the population from their place of origin.
Rural Depopulation: Migration between rural and urban areas, either permanently or long-term, to obtain jobs and higher incomes.
Total Fertility Rate: Indicates the average number of children per woman.
Immigration: The arrival of the population to a destination.
Youth Index: The percentage difference between the population aged 0-14 and the total population.
Aging Index: The percentage difference between the population aged 65 and over and the total population.
Malthusianism: An ideological current that proposes voluntary birth reduction, named after Robert Thomas Malthus.
Natural Movement: The natural growth or decline of a place’s population due to births and deaths.
Migration Patterns
Internal Migration
Internal migration refers to population movements within a country’s borders.
- Seasonal Migrations: Temporary trips to the city during times when there was no work in the field. These were also seasonal movements to other rural areas to undertake agricultural work when there was little mechanization in the field.
- Residential Migration: Undertaken by young and middle classes seeking affordable housing and environmental quality, often involving long distances.
- Return Migration: The return of the population to emigration areas.
- Pendular Movements: Work-related movements between the place of residence and work.
External Migration
External migration refers to population movements outside a country’s borders. From the mid-nineteenth century to the economic crisis of 1975, external migration was significant.
- Transoceanic Migrations: Primarily aimed at Latin America, the U.S., Canada, and Australia. This was mainly permanent emigration, although there were temporary departures for major infrastructure construction and seasonal agricultural tasks.
Population Records and Activity
Register Office: The registration of inhabitants of a municipality.
- Population in Fact: Persons present in each municipality at the time of a census or municipal register.
- Population of Law: Persons registered as residents or lawfully residing in a municipality at the time of a census or municipal register.
Active Population: All persons aged 16 and over who supply labor for the production of goods and services, are available, and make efforts to join this production.
Inactive Population: Those who do not perform paid work or are unavailable to fill it, such as pensioners, investors, students, and persons engaged in household chores.
Demographic Regimes in Spain
Demographic regimes are the stages into which the natural movement of the Spanish population is divided.
- Old Demographic Regime: Remained in Spain until the early 20th century. Characterized by high birth and death rates and low natural growth.
- Current Demographic Regime: Extends from 1975 to the present day. Characterized by low birth and death rates and low natural growth.
- Demographic Transition: The transition between the old and current demographic regimes took place between 1900 and 1975. Compared to other Western European countries, it started later but was shorter and more intense. It was characterized by a gentle decrease in birth rates, a sharp decline in mortality, and high natural growth.
Migratory Balance: The balance between immigration and emigration. If positive, it indicates immigration; if negative, emigration.
Economic Sectors
- Primary Sector: Includes activities devoted to obtaining raw materials.
- Secondary Sector: Includes activities related to processing raw materials.
- Tertiary Sector: Includes activities that provide services.
Key Demographic Rates
Birth Rate: Relates the number of births in a year to the total population.
Fertility Rate: Relates the number of births in a year to the number of women of childbearing age.
Death Rate: Relates the number of deaths in a year to the total population.
Infant Mortality Rate: Relates the number of children dying before reaching one year of age to the total live births that year.
Sex Ratio: The percentage difference between the number of males and the number of females.
Femininity Rate: The percentage difference between the number of women and the number of men.