Spain - Statistics & Facts
Situated in southwestern Europe, the Kingdom of Spain encompasses some southwestern parts of the European mainland as well as the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla located in the African coast. The country is a popular tourist destination due to its climate, beautiful landscape and vast coasts.
Since many young Spaniards are consequently looking for work elsewhere, the population’s median age has gradually increased over the last fifty years, meaning the average age of Spain's inhabitants is higher. However, despite decreasing population growth, the fertility rate seems rather stable and the population figures do not show alarming signs of migration.
More than 75 percent of Spain’s population live in cities, of which the capital, Madrid, is the largest. Thus, the lion’s share of GDP is generated in the services sector (which includes tourism, for example). Only a very small percentage of Spain’s inhabitants work in agriculture.
A troubled economy: unemployment and brain drain
Spain is a member of the European Union and the euro area. Economically, Spain has been in a serious predicament since the financial crisis of 2008. The country’s unemployment rate skyrocketed after the economic collapse, and today it still reports one of the highest unemployment rates in the European Union, only surpassed by Greece, and double the EU average. Spain’s GDP, which had taken a blow as well, is now, after a decade-low in 2015, expected to increase again, albeit slowly.Since many young Spaniards are consequently looking for work elsewhere, the population’s median age has gradually increased over the last fifty years, meaning the average age of Spain's inhabitants is higher. However, despite decreasing population growth, the fertility rate seems rather stable and the population figures do not show alarming signs of migration.
More than 75 percent of Spain’s population live in cities, of which the capital, Madrid, is the largest. Thus, the lion’s share of GDP is generated in the services sector (which includes tourism, for example). Only a very small percentage of Spain’s inhabitants work in agriculture.
