Immigration to Spain

Immigration to Spain increased significantly in the beginning of the 21st century. In 1998, immigrants accounted for 1.6% of the population, and by 2009, that number had risen to over 12%. Until 2014, the numbers were decreasing due to the economic crisis, but since 2015, immigration to Spain has increased again,^[2] especially after 2021.^[3]

As of 2024, there were 8,915,831 foreign-born people in Spain, making up to 18.31% of the population, including 5,308,314 (11.14%) born in a non-European country. Of these 6,581,028 (13.51%) did not have Spanish citizenship.^[4] This makes Spain the 4th country in Europe by immigration numbers and the 10th worldwide. Spain attracts significant immigration from Latin America and Eastern Europe. The fastest-growing immigrant groups in 2017 were Venezuelans, Colombians, Italians, Ukrainians, and Argentines.^[5]

During the early 21st century, the average year-on-year demographic growth set a new record with its 2003 peak variation of 2.1%, doubling the previous record reached in the 1960s when a mean year-on-year growth of 1% was experienced.^[6] In 2005 alone, the immigrant population of Spain increased by 700,000 people.^[7]

Spain accepted 478,990 new immigrant residents in just the first six months of 2022 alone. During these months, 220,443 people also emigrated from Spain, leaving a record-breaking net migration figure of 258,547.^[8] More women than men chose to move to Spain during 2022; this is due to higher rates of emigration from Latin America.^[8]