Navarre Population: Distribution, Evolution, and Trends
Navarre Population: Distribution and Evolution
Population Distribution in Navarre
Distribution: Navarre had a population of 646,000 inhabitants in 2008, with a density of 62.17 inhabitants per km2, which is less than the Spanish average. The population of Navarre represents a smaller proportion of the state’s total population than its land area. Its demographic weight has decreased since 1900. Navarre’s population density is similar to La Rioja and Aragon but significantly lower than the Basque Country. The population distribution is very uneven.
The average density varies significantly across the territory, with the western half having a higher density than the east. The eastern counties include the Pyrenean valleys and the Bardenas Reales. The western sector has a higher density due to the industrialization of towns like Lesaka, the Araquil Corridor (Alsasua), Navarre (Estella), and the Ebro River bank (Tudela). The highest densities are found in the metropolitan area of Pamplona, with values exceeding 1000 inhabitants/km2 in Pamplona, Barañain, and Zizur Mayor. This area represents the major urban, industrial, and tertiary sectors of the Foral Community.
Key Observations:
- The Pamplona basin has the highest population density, containing almost half of the entire community’s population.
- The Ebro River bank also has high-density areas, accounting for 25% of the population.
- Navarre has an unequal distribution. Estella-Olite and Tafalla have recovered population after a period of stagnation.
- The eastern part has very low densities, representing 14% of the population.
- The mountainous area is the least populated in Navarre, except for the Pamplona basin. The Araquil corridor centered on Alsasua and Baztan are notable. In total, the wet Navarre region holds 11% of the population, while the valleys of the eastern Pyrenees represent only 2%.
Population Evolution in Navarre
Evolution of the Population: During the twentieth century, the population of Navarre almost doubled, from 307,000 inhabitants in 1900 to 530,000 in 1998. The 1960s saw the highest population growth due to industrialization in Spain, which was particularly intense in Navarre.
Natural Movements:
Birth Rate:
Navarre’s birth rate has consistently been lower than the national average. Similar to the rest of Spain, there was a growth period between 1955 and 1965, followed by a sharp decline from 1977 to the late twentieth century. The modern demographic regime is characterized by a decrease in births after 1975, which was even more pronounced in Navarre than in Spain. This change is significant considering Navarre’s traditional values and the strong influence of the church. Currently, there is an apparent upturn in the birth rate, attributed to immigration and the fact that those born during the”baby boo” are now parents. Among foreign-born mothers (who account for 20% of the total), Moroccans are the most numerous, followed by Ecuadorians and Colombians. Although it is relatively common for mothers to be over 40, the age at first motherhood has declined from about 32 years in 2000 to 31.6 years in 2007.
Mortality Rate:
Navarre follows the same mortality trends as the rest of Spain. Mortality was very low in the 1980s but has since increased due to increased life expectancy and the aging population. Life expectancy is among the highest in Spain, especially for women. The spatial distribution of mortality is inversely related to birth rates, with higher mortality in aged and rural areas. During the Spanish Civil War, mortality in Navarre was lower than in the rest of Spain. However, it was very high, exceeding the birth rate and leading to negative natural growth.
Natural Growth:
Until the 1960s, natural growth was above 1%. Since then, the declining birth rate and slight increase in mortality have led to a decrease in growth, almost reaching zero at the end of the twentieth century. Areas with relatively large, well-connected settlements and abundant economic resources have higher natural growth rates. More than half of the municipalities in Navarre had negative natural growth rates in the late twentieth century, particularly in the Pyrenean valleys and in Navarre.