Spanish Demographics and Immigration: Trends and Policies

Spanish Immigration Policy

Setting

  • The EU policy on asylum and immigration: the creation of a common asylum system and of visas and cooperation of member countries against illegal immigration and external border control Union.
  • Law of Aliens: Regulates all aspects of immigration.
  • Present arrangements:
    • Stay: Stay of a foreigner in Spain for a maximum period of 90 days.
    • Residence: An alien authorized to reside in Spain for a period exceeding 90 days. May be temporary (less than 5 years) or permanent (in perpetuity).

Main dimensions

  • Working with sending countries in controlling migration, repatriation (return of migrants to their country of origin, repatriation has been reduced in the EU) and returns.
  • Management of Migration Flows: Selecting the type of immigrants who need to Spain.
  • Promotion of integration: Promoting their social integration and anti-xenophobia and racism.
  • Fighting illegal immigration: Cooperation of countries of origin of immigrants.

Real Growth of the Population

It is obtained by adding natural increase and net migration:

CR = CN (births – deaths) + SM (Immigrants – Emigrants)

It has increased since the mid-nineteenth century population.

a) From mid-nineteenth century to early 20th century: Low natural growth characteristic of the old demographic regime and overseas migration.

b) Between 1900 and 1975: High, especially in the 1960s. High natural growth by the transition would have been greater if there were no catastrophic mortality, epidemics, and wars (Morocco, Civil War) and emigration.

c) Low magnification 1975-2001: Low growth by natural means. The decline would have been greater had it not been offset by the return of migrants and the increase in immigration since 1995.

d) Has accelerated since 2001: Due to foreign immigration, but there are regional contrasts.

The Sex Structure

The relationship between the number of men and women is determined by the rate of masculinity or femininity. Away from 100 indicates a greater imbalance.

Sex ratio: 100 x No. male / No. female = No. males/100 females (femininity backwards)

Factors:

  • More boys are born, but women have greater life expectancy.
  • Migration rates are higher for males.

In Spain:

  • In younger age groups, men dominate due to numerical superiority at birth and immigration.
  • In adulthood, they are ultimately equal.
  • In old age, women predominate.
  • Exception: Rural areas with increased feminine migration.

Age Structure: Population Aging

Groups:

  • Young (0-14 years)
  • Adults (15-64 years)
  • Elderly (65+)

It is measured by indices of youth:

Population of 0-14 x 100 / total population = %

and population aging index = 65 + x 100 / total population = %

A population is considered young when the percentage is over 35% and aged when the elderly are over 12%.

Factors: Birth rate, life expectancy, and migration.

In Spain: Aging population.

a) Causes of aging:

  • Declining birth rates from 1975.
  • Increased life expectancy.
  • The emigration of the past has not been offset by the recent immigration.

Territorial Dispute:

  • Communities with more youth: Higher birth rate and life expectancy (south), higher immigration (Madrid, Mediterranean coast).
  • Communities with more aging: Higher interference due to emigration in the past, lower birth rate, and higher life expectancy (Galicia and interior peninsular) and communities hard hit by the crisis of 1975 (Cantabrian).

b) Consequences of aging:

  • Economic slowdown: Aging workforce and reduces the capacity for innovation.
  • Raising the spending on pensions: Their financing is not dependent on the contributions made by retirees during their work, but the workers engaged in active.
  • Increase in health spending: The elderly consume more drugs, doctor visits, and hospital stays.
  • Care and attention: Family burden and an increase in demand for homes.

The Economic Structure of the Population: Labor Force

It is the set of persons 16 years and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services, work in exchange for a fee (population), and seeking employment (unemployed population).

The inactive population: It is not performing paid work or is available for the post.

Factors:

  • Demographic (percentage of young and elderly and prevalence of emigration or immigration).
  • Economic (development level).
  • Sociocultural (duration of schooling, women’s work outside the home, and retirement age).

Indices to measure:

  • Rate of Activity: Labor force x 100 / total population or population 16 years and older or population between 16 and 64.
  • Unemployment rate: Unemployed active population x 100 / active population.
  • Dependency ratio: Dependent population (0-15 years + 65 years and older) x 100 / working-age population (16-64).

Rate of Activity

a) Evolution:

  • From the beginning of the 20th century to the 1990s: Decreased due to emigration and the increase in the dependency ratio. The outward migration affected the male activity rate and reduced the internal rate of female employment. The growth rate of the youth dependency is due to the delay until the minimum age of 16 to work and increasing the dependency ratio for retirement.
  • Since 1991: Strong growth of the new collaboration of the EPA (Labor Force Survey) expands the workforce. Women entering the labor market, economic prosperity, immigration, but since 2002 increases the inactive for statistical reasons (change criteria of unemployment).

b) Shows activity rate variations:

  • By gender: Decreased activity rate, by male emigration, early retirement, industrial restructuring, and the crisis of 1990-1995, from 1996 recovered. The female activity rate increased from 1970 for ideological reasons, demographic (birth control), and economic (employment growth in the tertiary sector).
  • Depending on the age: Higher activity rates for males between 35 and 39, and for women between 25 and 29. From there it decreases leaving work for the family.
  • Depending on the territory: It is higher in the most economically dynamic communities with the tertiary sector (Madrid, Mediterranean coast), with high economic diversification (Navarra, La Rioja), lower in areas with less dynamic (Galicia interior of the peninsula) or prolonged affected by industrial decline (Cantabrian coast) and in the communities with the greatest weight of the youth population (Andalucia) or aged (interior peninsular).