Spanish Migration: Two Centuries of Movement and Change
1. External Migration
A. Migration to North Africa (19th Century)
During the 19th century, significant Spanish emigration occurred to North Africa, primarily Algeria. Migrants from Alicante, Murcia, and Almeria, mainly farmers and miners, sought better living conditions. They primarily worked in public works and agriculture.
B. Emigration Overseas (Early to Mid-20th Century)
The first half of the 20th century saw substantial emigration overseas. Initially, destinations included Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay, later expanding to the U.S. and Canada. This wave was largely driven by farmers with limited resources from Galicia, Asturias, and the Canary Islands. Emigration to Latin America continued until the 1930s when economic crises led to restrictions on foreign entry.
C. Migration to Europe (1960-1970)
Between 1960 and 1970, migration to Europe became prominent. Earlier in the 20th century, it was almost exclusively to France, primarily Levantine farmers fulfilling French agricultural labor needs. This flow increased due to the Spanish Civil War, resulting in an estimated 800,000 Spaniards in France by the start of World War II. Post-war reconstruction in countries like France, Germany, and Switzerland, coupled with Spain’s economic and social hardships, fueled further migration. The 1960s, a decade of significant departures, saw over 100,000 migrants in some years. After 1974, migration slowed, resulting in a negative or barely positive migration balance. Andalusia and Galicia were the primary sources of this European migration.
Consequences of External Migration
Positive Effects
- Reduced pressure on the Spanish labor market.
- Relief of population pressure, estimated at around two million people, contributing to lower fertility rates.
- Influx of foreign currency.
- Changing attitudes of returning migrants.
Negative Impacts
- Demographic costs: Loss of young people in migrating regions, leading to aging populations and declining fertility.
- Social costs: Family breakdown (primarily heads of households migrated), difficult adjustment in destination countries due to low cultural levels, employment in challenging and underpaid jobs with high risks.
- Limited economic benefits: Migrant savings primarily invested in real estate or consumer goods, rather than regenerating wealth.
- Economic costs: Depopulation of origin areas, land and infrastructure abandonment, and declining populations.
2. Internal Migration
Internal migration, the movement of people between Spanish provinces and regions, particularly from rural to urban areas, has been a significant geo-demographic phenomenon. Industrialization and urbanization drove this migration, peaking between 1960 and 1970.
Historical Overview
A. 19th Century to Mid-20th Century
While initially not large-scale, internal migration intensified with the industrialization of Barcelona and the Basque Country, and public works projects under Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship. The Spanish Civil War and post-war period saw reduced movement. Migration flowed from Galicia, New Castile, Aragon, and eastern Andalusia to Catalonia, Levante, the Basque Country, western Andalusia (Seville), and Madrid.
B. 1960s and 1970s
Between 1960 and 1985, an estimated 12 million people migrated internally, averaging over 360,000 annually. Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia were the primary destinations, followed by Vizcaya, Girona, Tarragona, Alicante, and Seville. Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, and eastern Andalusia were the main source regions.
New Trends
- Increasing number of provinces with positive net migration and reduced polarization in previous migration hotspots.
- Traditional immigration areas becoming emigration areas due to returning migrants.
- Shift from rural depopulation to movement between urban centers.
- Current emigrants primarily belonging to the service sector.
Consequences of Internal Migration
Internal migration has significant demographic, social, and economic impacts on both origin and destination areas.
A. Destination Areas
- Positive impact on population growth, structure, and natural dynamics.
- Migrants contribute to population growth, rejuvenate age structure, increase the labor force, and revitalize birth and fertility rates.
- Increased cultural diversity.
- Improved labor supply and higher concentration of human resources.
- Increased costs for new infrastructure, housing, and facilities to accommodate the growing population.
B. Source Areas
- Negative impacts include declining population, aging population structure, and declining fertility.
- Impoverishment of human resources and reduced economic activity.
- Potential improvement in income for those who remain.
Overall, internal migration has caused significant population imbalances, leading to areas of high density contrasted with demographic desertification.