Where Spain gains and loses population
Evolution by autonomous community from 2002 to 2025. Source: Eurostat.
Spain's population growth is very uneven across its territory. While some autonomous communities have gained nearly half their population over two decades, others have lost inhabitants persistently. 14 of the 17 communities analysed have gained population since 2002; 3 have lost it.
Population change by autonomous community
Percentage change 2002–2025. Green = growth, red = decline.
The areas that are growing
Growth is concentrated in metropolitan areas, the Mediterranean coast, and the islands. Madrid and Catalonia account for the largest absolute growth. The Balearic Islands show the highest proportional growth.
| Autonomous Community | Change | Pop. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Baleares | +47.9% | 1.25M |
| Canarias | +32.6% | 2.26M |
| Murcia | +31.5% | 1.59M |
| Madrid | +29.8% | 7.11M |
| C. Valenciana | +29.4% | 5.43M |
The areas that are losing population
Three communities have lost inhabitants since 2002: Asturias, Castilla y León, and Extremadura. The pattern is clear: interior regions and the Atlantic periphery, with accelerated ageing and young people leaving for cities.
| Autonomous Community | Change | Pop. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Extremadura | -0.4% | 1.05M |
| Castilla y León | -2.2% | 2.40M |
| Asturias | -4.5% | 1.02M |
Temporal evolution: fastest growing vs. declining
Population on 1 January, in millions (2002–2025). The 5 fastest-growing communities and the 5 slowest-growing or declining.
Explore municipal data
Regional figures conceal large internal differences. UrbanStatsLab offers profiles by municipality and province: population trends, density, and territorial comparisons.
Browse municipal data at UrbanStatsLab →Conclusion
Spain is not growing uniformly. While metropolitan areas and the Mediterranean coast concentrate population growth, the interior and Atlantic periphery have been losing inhabitants for decades. This territorial inequality has direct implications for housing, services, and ageing: growing areas need more housing; declining ones face the challenge of sustaining services with fewer taxpayers.
Methodological notes
- — Population on 1 January, total sex, total age (NUTS2 = autonomous communities)
- — Time range: 2002–2025
- — Ceuta and Melilla excluded due to size and administrative singularity
- — Source: Eurostat demo_r_pjanaggr3 (INE data reported to Eurostat)
Sources
Eurostat - demo_r_pjanaggr3 (Population by broad age group, sex and NUTS 3)
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/demo_r_pjanaggr3