Population Dynamics in Catalonia: Trends and Analysis
Population Dynamics and Population Structure in Catalonia
Population dynamics indicate how Catalonia evolves over time. Demographics vary the population: vegetative growth, which is the difference between births and deaths, migration, and growth, which is the difference between emigration and immigration. Population structure refers to its composition. The most utilized criteria for the study refer to age, sex, or social issues.
Absolute Population of Catalonia and Factors Influencing its Evolution
In 2008, Catalonia had a tendency to increase its inhabitants. For 300 years, the Catalan population mirrored slow and stagnant genes (RAPD). Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Catalan population increased thanks to vegetative growth. The 20th century saw continued growth and migration. In 100 years, while Europe’s population doubled, Catalonia’s population tripled.
Three Main Immigration Processes in Catalonia
- Between 1920 and 1930, half a million immigrants arrived from Aragon and Valencia, many of whom were Catalan-speaking. This immigration galvanized the population from 2 to 3 million inhabitants.
- Between 1950 and 1975, 1.5 million people came from the southern Iberian Peninsula, mainly Andalusia, but also Extremadura and Galicia, increasing the population from 3 to 6 million.
- In the late 20th century, another immigration wave began, coming from various parts of the world: Morocco, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The population increased from 6 to 8 million, and it is estimated that Catalonia will have 8 million inhabitants by 2020.
Unequal distribution: Barcelona and its surroundings are the main areas where immigrants concentrated in the mid-20th century. Current immigration is distributed to the counties of Barcelona, the Girona area, the south coastal area, and inland counties.
Evolution of Vegetative Growth and its Causes
Vegetative growth reached a minimum in Catalonia between 1990 and 1999. Since then, there has been a comeback thanks to immigration. This vegetative growth is limited due to:
- Maintenance of low female fertility since 1980.
- Aging, with a high life expectancy of 77 years for men and 83 for women.
- The average age of motherhood is 31.
- Maintenance of slightly elevated mortality due to the aging population.
Birth and Fertility: Causes of Birth Rate and Current Vegetative Growth
The arrival of young people from current immigration, the coming of age of generations of Catalans born between 1970-80, and an increase in fertility of women in middle age have increased the Catalan birth rate to 11.7 per thousand and fecundity (number of children per woman) to 1.46 children per woman. As mortality is 8.3 per thousand, the resulting vegetative growth is 3.4 per thousand.
Our fertility is situated within the European average, above that of Eastern Europe and most Mediterranean countries. The current vegetative growth in eastern Catalonia is among the highest in Europe. There are a dozen counties that have negative vegetative growth; these are located within the country, with a population of less than 40,000 inhabitants and a strong aging population. However, the counties with the most demographic vitality are in the metropolitan region of Barcelona, Tarragona, and Girona.
Analysis of the Current Structure of the Catalan Population Pyramid
Catalonia has an aged structure with a slight tendency to evolve into a pyramid with a widening of the intermediate base. We consider a young population to be 0 to 14 years old, adults from 15 to 64, and 65 and older as old. In 2001, Catalonia was one of the most aged countries in the world after years of population stagnation and low birth rates. This aging has also contributed to the life expectancy in Catalonia, which is in 5th place. The arrival of immigrants reduces this aging and is currently maintained. Aging is distributed unevenly, with the most aged located in the inland counties, Pyrenees, and mountainous counties. The younger counties are on the coast and pre-coastal depression.
From a biological point of view, more boys are born than girls, which is balanced because female life expectancy is higher. The masculinity index is slightly higher due to male and female immigration.
Current Characteristics and Evolution of the Immigration Process
Regarding current immigration, its growth has been rapid: in 2001, it was only 6% of the total population, while in 2008, it was 15%. The places of origin of the people are very different, but predominantly those from Morocco, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Other countries of origin with high levels of immigrants are China, Italy, and France. The majority tendency of this immigration is to settle in the country. Many people choose to start the process of family reunification, so the whole family moves to reside in Catalonia.
Population and Density: Calculation and Distribution
Population refers to how the population inhabiting the territory is located. A useful fact to know the population distribution in a particular area is the population density, which is calculated by dividing the number of inhabitants per unit of surface, normally square kilometers. The highest population density in Catalonia is located on the coast and pre-coast, with a maximum concentration in Barcelona. Outside of these metropolitan areas, we only find high densities in irrigated areas of the Segrià, Llobregat, Ter, and Anoia river valleys.
Why Today’s Urban and Rural Settlements Present Fuzzy Limits: A New Concept of City
The difference between urban and rural populations has become limited and obsolete in developed countries. Population growth, economic development, and social modernization have led to forms of settlement that do not correspond to either of these categories. It is increasingly frequent to find rural areas that are dedicated to urban or industrial uses. The limits are becoming more imprecise, and it is necessary to define new categories both in form and in the population and territory, which will be done in various forms.