Spanish Population: Growth, Structure, and Economic Sectors
Real Growth of the Spanish Population
The real growth of the Spanish population is obtained by summing the natural population growth and the migratory balance. Three stages can be distinguished:
- From the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth century, growth was low, reflecting scarce natural growth and emigration overseas.
- The period between 1900 and 1975 was characterized by high population growth because of the high natural growth characteristics of the demographic transition.
- Since 1975, the growth of the population has been very low and is mainly due to low natural growth, given the collapse of birth rates and low mortality rates.
Structure of the Spanish Population
Sex and Age Structure
The sex structure is the relation between the number of men and women that comprise the population. The age structure is one of the most commonly used indicators to measure the aging index. Spain has an aging structure: young people have reduced their numbers owing to the decline in birth rates. Adults have grown; their percentage varies slightly between communities. The elderly have increased, with the largest proportion in the interior and north of the peninsula.
The causes of the aging population are declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. The consequences of aging affect the future of pensions, health, and social integration. The financing of pensions does not depend on the contributions made by retirees during their time of activity but on the work performed by active workers at each moment. In terms of health, the elderly consume a higher number of hospital stays, prescriptions, and medical visits. In the social aspect, aging poses economic problems for residences.
Structure: Active Population
The active population is the group of people aged 16 and over that provides labor for the production of goods and services. It is divided into the working population (those who have a job) and the unemployed population (those who are unemployed or looking for their first job). The inactive population does not have paid work and includes pensioners, investors, students, and homemakers.
Various indices exist:
Activity Rate
There are variations in the evolution of the activity rate. Two periods can be distinguished: a decrease until recent times, and an increase in the active population since 1987. The participation rate has variations according to sex, age, and territory.
Unemployment Rate
There are variations in the evolution of the unemployment rate. Four stages can be identified:
- Until 1973, it was not a serious problem.
- Between 1973 and 1985, there was a large increase as a result of the crisis.
- Between 1985 and 1995, unemployment retreated due to an improving economic situation.
- Since 1995, the unemployment rate shows variations, with unemployment decreasing.
Unemployment varies according to age, sex, level of education, time of year, and autonomous community.
Structure by Economic Sectors
Past evolution can be divided into a series of steps:
Primary Sector
Primary sector activities are subject to obtaining raw materials. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was predominant. In the first third of the century, it came down due to the rural exodus. During the Civil War and the post-war period, it recovered. Between 1950 and 1975, the rural exodus reduced with the mechanization of the countryside. Since 1975, the decline has been slowing down due to the crisis.
Secondary Sector
Secondary sector activities are related to the processing of raw materials. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was low because of insufficient industrial development. During the first third of the twentieth century, it grew thanks to Primo de Rivera. The post-war period saw the destruction of industries. In the 1960s, the oil crisis overcame the previous situation. Since 1975, there has been a trend towards outsourcing in the industry.
Tertiary Sector
The tertiary sector is related to services. In 1990, the percentage of tertiary activities was low, and it grew throughout the century, except for the parenthesis of the Civil War. In 2004, it took up most of the active population. The causes are the increased economic level, the standard of living, changes in the industry, and increased public services.