In 2024, Madrid was the city with the most inhabitants in Spain. In that year, more than 3.42 million people lived in the city. Barcelona was the second-largest city with 1.69 million residents.

Madrid was the largest city in Spain in 2024, with around *** million inhabitants. Barcelona followed second, with nearly *** million people residing there. The most populated city in the Spanish islands that year was Palma de Mallorca.

Spain ES: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 17.171 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 17.008 % for 2016. Spain ES: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 15.595 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.171 % in 2017 and a record low of 14.326 % in 1960. Spain ES: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

Population in largest city in Spain was reported at 6783241 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Spain - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 1500, the largest city was Paris, with an estimated 225 thousand inhabitants, almost double the population of the second-largest city, Naples. As in 1330, Venice and Milan remain the third and fourth largest cities in Western Europe, however Genoa's population almost halved from 1330 until 1500, as it was struck heavily by the bubonic plague in the mid-1300s. In lists prior to this, the largest cities were generally in Spain and Italy, however, as time progressed, the largest populations could be found more often in Italy and France. The year 1500 is around the beginning of what we now consider modern history, a time that saw the birth of many European empires and inter-continental globalization.

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in Spain was reported at 16.99 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Spain - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

ES: Population in Largest City data was reported at 6,403,902.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,312,017.000 Person for 2016. ES: Population in Largest City data is updated yearly, averaging 4,396,021.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,403,902.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 2,467,926.000 Person in 1960. ES: Population in Largest City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; ;

While Spain’s population has increased slightly since the year 2000, the share of the rural and urban populations has remained relatively constant, with Spain being a highly urban country. This consistently high urbanization is a consequence of both economic and social factors. The Spanish wealth is generated in the cities to a large extent Two thirds of Spain’s economic output, as divided across economic sectors, comes from the service sector, with only ***** percent originating from agriculture. Naturally, service-based economies are easiest when people live closely, while agricultural practices need more land, and thus a rural population. Of course, this also brings economic costs, such as the high living and housing costs in Madrid. What draws people into cities? Social factors also drive people to cities. For some, it is being closer to family or culture, such as art museums. For others, it is finding a large city with green spaces, like Madrid. For others, it is the opportunity to watch a game in a world-class soccer stadium, perhaps FC Barcelona. These and other factors continue to keep Spaniards in their cities.

Madrid was the most visited city destination in Spain in 2023, having welcomed nearly ** million overnight visitors. The Catalonian capital followed second in the ranking that year, with roughly *** million tourists spending at least one night in the destination. How did Madrid rank in tourist visits and accommodation? In 2022, Madrid attracted over 4.5 million domestic and 4.6 million international tourists for stays exceeding one day, despite experiencing a more than 10 percent decrease compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the Spanish capital has consistently ranked among the top ten European cities with the highest number of nights spent by tourists in paid accommodation, securing the 8th position that year. Which regions attracted the most international tourists? Spain's international tourism rebounded strongly from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, surpassing 100 million visitors in 2022. Catalonia led as the most visited region, attracting over **** million international tourists. The United Kingdom played a pivotal role as the primary source of international tourists, contributing over ** million travelers, followed by France with around ** million visitors.

Official population figures of the Spanish Municipalities: Revision of the Municipal Register: Population by Autonomous Community and Autonomous City and size of municipalities. Annual. Autonomous Communities and Cities.

Censo de Población: Population by gender, age (year to year) and nationality (Spanish/foreign) (province capitals and main cities). Annual. Municipalities.

Censo de Población: Population by year of arrival in Spain, year of arrival in the Autonomous Community, sex, age (big groups) and nationality (Spanish/foreign). Annual. Autonomous Communities and Cities.

This horizontal bar chart displays male population (people) by capital city using the aggregation sum in Spain. The data is about countries per year.

This horizontal bar chart displays population (people) by capital city using the aggregation sum in Spain. The data is filtered where the date is 2023. The data is about countries per year.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Madrid, Spain metro area from 1950 to 2025.

In 2024, Barcelona received the largest number of international tourists staying at hotel establishments in Spain, with nearly *************. The Spanish capital followed, with a little almost *** million foreign hotel guests.

Continuous Register Statistics: Population (spanish/foreigners) by size of municipality and sex. Annual. Provinces.

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Branches in 3 Largest Cities, Excluding Headquarters, for Other Financial Intermediaries for Spain (ESPFCBMLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about intermediaries, branches, Spain, and financial.

The top city for startups in Spain in 2024 was Barcelona, whose score amounted to *****. The country's capital, Madrid, followed second, with a total score of ***** points.

Avg Housing Price: Free Market: Barcelona data was reported at 3,300.100 EUR/sq m in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,297.300 EUR/sq m for Jun 2018. Avg Housing Price: Free Market: Barcelona data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,071.100 EUR/sq m from Mar 2005 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,950.200 EUR/sq m in Jun 2008 and a record low of 2,385.200 EUR/sq m in Mar 2014. Avg Housing Price: Free Market: Barcelona data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Public Works. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.P003: Housing Prices: Free Market: by Region and Major City.