Spanish Population Distribution & Migration: Trends and Impacts
Spanish Population Distribution and Migration
Demographic Sources
1. Census: An individual count of the population at a specific time. It gathers demographic, economic, and social data, such as sex, age, and education level. Conducted every 10 years, in years ending in 1.
2. City Register: A registration of inhabitants in a town, containing similar data to the census but on a smaller scale. Updated annually on January 1st with data on births, deaths, and residential changes. Conducted every five years, in years ending in 1 and 6.
3. Vital Records: Records of births, deaths, and marriages, used to calculate natural population changes.
Population Distribution
In 2008, Spain’s population was 46 million. Distribution is measured by population density, which relates population to surface area (km²). Spain’s density is 91, masking significant differences between densely populated and sparsely populated areas.
Factors Influencing Distribution
Pre-Industrial Era
Natural factors primarily determined population distribution. The agrarian economy concentrated most of the population in the Castilian interior, a dryland farming region. However, in the 18th century, maritime trade development in coastal areas began to reverse this trend.
Industrial Era (Mid-19th Century – 1975)
Natural factors became less important, and population distribution differences intensified. Madrid and coastal areas grew due to industrial development, tourism, and the public sector (especially in Madrid).
Post-Industrial Era (1975 – Present)
Contrasts lessened. The economic crisis reduced the appeal of industrial areas, leading to a return to inland regions. The spread of services and modernization of agriculture and industry favored decentralization and a more balanced population distribution.
Internal Migration
Traditional Migration (Late 19th Century – 1975)
Driven by work opportunities, migration flows were unidirectional, from less developed to more developed areas. Migrants were typically young people with low professional skills.
- Seasonal/Temporary Migration (1870-1960): Intended for return, either to other rural areas during harvest seasons or to cities.
- Rural Exodus (1900-1975): From rural areas to more developed urban centers.
Stages of Rural Exodus:
- Early 20th Century: Moderate migration from smaller towns to larger towns and regional capitals, eventually reaching major cities.
- Spanish Civil War: Migration ceased due to urban destruction.
- 1950-1975: Peak migration volume due to demographic growth, agricultural mechanization, industrial and tourism development. Direct migration from rural areas to major cities became common.
- Post-1975: Decline in rural exodus due to the economic crisis and loss of appeal of industrial areas. Rural development policies and re-evaluation of rural livelihoods led to an urban exodus, with people seeking better quality of life in rural areas.
Consequences of Rural Exodus: Population imbalances, with a hollowed-out interior and densely populated periphery; increased sex ratio in immigration areas; aging population in emigration areas; deterioration of emigration areas due to lack of inhabitants.
Present-Day Migration
Motivations include socio-economic factors, residential preferences, and return to places of origin. Flows are multidirectional, with reciprocal exchange between areas. There is no clear migrant profile.
- Work Migration: Young adults (20-39) moving from former emigration areas, declining industrial cities, or urban areas to more dynamic centers.
- Residential Migration: Young and middle-class individuals seeking affordable housing, often intra-urban or intra-provincial.
- Return Migration: Retirees and those who participated in the rural exodus of the 1970s returning to their places of origin.
- Short-term Movements: Travel for work and leisure, often daily or weekend trips.
Consequences of Present-Day Migration: Demographic and economic imbalances between regions; potential aging of resort areas; increased demand for infrastructure in receiving areas; potential aging of return migration destination areas.