Spain's population has reached a historic high of over 49.5 million, driven largely by an increase in the number of foreign-born residents.
As of January 1, 2026, Spain's resident population was recorded at 49,570,725, marking an increase of 81,520 individuals in the last quarter of 2025. This growth represents the highest figure in the nation's demographic history, largely attributed to the surge in foreign-born residents, which has surpassed 10 million for the first time. According to the Continuous Population Statistics (ECP) released by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the estimated annual population growth was 442,428 people.
The data highlights that while the number of births within Spain has decreased, the increase in the population is significantly due to the influx of individuals born in foreign countries. Currently, there are 10,004,581 foreign-born individuals residing in Spain. Interestingly, this number exceeds that of foreign nationals, owing to significant naturalization processes that have allowed many to acquire Spanish citizenship.
Out of the 10 million foreign-born individuals, 7,243,561 are classified as foreigners in Spain, setting a new record. This demographic shift reflects broader trends in immigration and nationality changes in Spain, suggesting a continuing transformation in the nation’s cultural and social fabric as it becomes more diverse through the integration of foreign communities.
