Spanish Migration Patterns: Historical Analysis & Trends
Spanish Migration Patterns: A Historical Overview
These movements were reduced in the ’30s and ’40s because of the economic crisis of ’29 and the Civil War.
1960-1975: Rural Exodus and Metropolitan Development
From 1960 to 1975, there was a massive rural exodus and a development of metropolitan areas. In 1964, the highest number of migrants was recorded, almost half a million, because the provinces most affected by rural exodus were those where agricultural activities predominated and had a high vegetative growth, such as Extremadura, Andalusia, and the Eastern Sub-plateau South. These migrations became final, and the destination could be the provincial capital, but in most cases, there was an interprovincial movement to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Zaragoza, and the Basque provinces. Later, tourism became another activity that generated labor, so the Catalan coast, Valencia, and Malaga attracted large numbers of people.
1975-1985: Changes in Migration Flows
From 1975 to 1985, since the economic crisis of 1973, there were changes in migration flows:
- Decrease in the intensity of the rural exodus.
- Return of migrants to their places of origin.
- Increased long-distance migrations. The Basque Country and Catalonia had a negative balance, while Extremadura, Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and Valencia had a positive balance. The causes of this fact must be sought in the economic crisis:
Increase in oil prices. Increased unemployment due to industrial restructuring.
- Following the low attraction of traditional bulbs.
1986-1993: Development of Intra-Provincial Migration
From 1986 to 1993, there was a development of intra-provincial migration. The reasons lie in:
Mobility of people with qualified professional categories between economically advanced areas and among cities of a certain entity. Displacement of retirees affected by the conversion process who migrate from industrialized areas to the source.
A kind of suburban migration is currently developing on a regular basis, i.e., from within outward, facilitating the development of railroads and automobiles. This decentralization has led to the emergence of dormitory towns.
1850-1960: Emigration Overseas
From 1850 to 1960, the enactment of the laws of the obstacles to the exit to the outside allowed the initiation of a strong migratory flow. Most went to Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, and Mexico and came from Galicia, Asturias, and the Canary Islands due to the economy of this region. During her time in the 20’s, but with short step on, because most Latin American countries passed laws to restrict the arrival of immigrants.
- Emigration to North Africa was much more intense during the nineteenth century, although it remained until 1936, mainly to Algeria. The Algerian current came from the Mediterranean region and was composed of agricultural workers.
- Emigration to Europe during this period, the immigrant population went almost entirely to France, especially after the First World War. The exodus continued until 1925 when it started to decrease due to the economic crisis of ’29 and the Second World War.
1952 Onward: Resumption of Migration Flows
Since 1952, the flow of migrants resumed not only to France but to other European countries. The reconstruction of countries affected by the strife of war, supported by American aid under the Marshall Plan, favored a strong economic expansion and the need for labor-intensive that you could not meet with the country’s inhabitants.
The migrants came from the Spanish regions with higher population growth (Extremadura and Andalusia).
1960 to Present: Current Trends
From 1960 until today.
- Emigration to America: this migration is reduced, as to the origin of migrants remain traditional regions although the type of migrant is changing, as is usually not a farmer but industrial workers, technicians and professionals.
- Emigration to Europe in 1960 came together a series of circumstances that led to an intensification and acceleration of the migration stream:
High natural growth. Surplus manpower that the industry could not use. Facilities for emigration by the government (currency and social unrest).
Between 1960 and 65, it is estimated that over a million workers left Spain on a permanent basis; emigration was from Andalusia, Galicia, Castilla-León, Valencia, and Extremadura. Countries of destination were Germany, Switzerland, and France. The production activity to which the building was dedicated, the steel industry, agriculture, and hospitality. Currently, the flow of migration to Europe has changed substantially since Spain joined the EEC (European Economic Community) has led to the recognition of the right of all citizens to settle anywhere in the EU (European Union).