In 2025, Spain recorded a notable rise in the number of births, with an estimated total of 321,164 births, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. This data, released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), suggests a possible change in a long-standing trend of declining births that has persisted for over ten years, although the figures are still subject to confirmation with final data. The slight upturn in birth rates comes at a time when political discussions surrounding immigration and an aging population are becoming increasingly prominent in Spain.

Despite this positive news regarding births, the balance against the number of deaths remains unfavorable. In 2025, there were approximately 446,982 deaths recorded, which represents a 2.5% increase from 2014. This disparity leads to a negative natural population growth, a situation that has been ongoing since 2017, highlighting the demographic challenges that Spain faces as it grapples with higher mortality rates relative to births. The implications of these figures shed light on the urgent need for policies addressing the aging population and potential immigration solutions to bolster population growth.

As of January 1, 2026, the population of Spain reached 49.5 million, with 7.2 million foreigners, which accounts for 14.6% of the total population. This demographic snapshot indicates the continuing trend of immigration contributing to the population composition of Spain. While the birthrate increase is a glimmer of hope, the country’s demographic landscape will require continuous monitoring and strategic planning to address the ongoing issues of natural population decline and aging.