Spanish Population’s Demographic Regimes
Demographic Regimes
In the evolution of the natural movement of the Spanish population, various stages or demographic regimes are distinguished, along which birth rates, death rates, and natural growth present homogeneous features. These stages include the old demographic regime, the demographic transition, and the modern regime. The demographic transition in Spain occurred later than in other European countries.
The Old Demographic Regime: Until the Early 20th Century
It is characterized by high birth and mortality rates and low natural growth.
Birth Rates
Birth rates showed elevated values in the early 20th century but showed a slight decrease from the last third of the 19th century. The causes were:
- The predominance of a rural economy and society, in which children began to work early, helping in field work. They were very cheap to maintain and ensured the future of the parents, since there was no casualty insurance, retirement, etc.
Mortality Rates
Overall mortality was high and wobbly, but since the 1870s, it also experienced a slight decrease. The causes were a low standard of living and poor medical and sanitary conditions:
- The diet was poor, due to low agricultural productivity, and unbalanced.
- Infectious diseases transmitted through the air (tuberculosis, bronchitis).
In addition to high mortality, there were moments of catastrophic mortality caused by epidemics, wars, and bad harvests of cereal grains, which caused the rising price of grain and hunger and death of those who could not afford it.
Infant mortality also showed high values.
The Demographic Transition: 1900-1975
The transition between the old demographic regime and the current one is called the demographic transition. It started later than in other Western European countries and its duration was less, but it was more intense. This stage is characterized by a mild decline in birth rates, a sharp decrease in mortality, and therefore a high natural growth.
Birth Rates
The birth rate declined smoothly and discontinuously.
Mortality Rates
Mortality decreased significantly and steadily over the demographic transition, but there were two moments of catastrophic mortality: the 1918 flu and the Civil War. The causes, according to the current model of health transition, were medical and health progress, increased living standards, and a rising educational and cultural level.
The Current Demographic Regime: From 1975
It is characterized by low birth and mortality rates and low natural growth.
Birth Rates
The current sinking birth rate occurred since 1975 and has been more belated and sharp than in other Western European countries. The birth rate today is very low (10.5‰ in 2003) and so is the total fertility rate (1.24 children per woman). This figure reached 2.1 children per woman in 1981—the limit that can replace the population—and decreased to 1.15 in 1998. Since then, the birth rate has experienced an insignificant recovery due to immigration, as the Spanish population continues to maintain a Malthusian behavior (birth control) since 1975.
- The economic situation that followed the 1975 crisis, with a serious rise in unemployment, reduced births in existing couples and delayed the age of marriage for young people due to the difficulty of finding work, thus shortening the fertile period of women.
- The change of mentality in Spanish society since the transition to democracy (1975) is reflected in the decline of religious influence, decriminalization and dissemination of contraceptives, the legalization of abortion in certain circumstances, and the increased integration of women at work (who postpone motherhood to consolidate their work situation).
- The increase in living standards and cultural level.
Moreover, the desire for material improvements (purchase of consumer goods and leisure) competes with the expense and time required for children.
Mortality Rates
Mortality remains at low levels (9.16‰ in 2003), although since 1981 it experienced a slight increase due to the aging of the population.