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.

Andalusia, with a total number of 8.6 million inhabitants, ranked first on the list of most populous autonomous communities in Spain as of January 1st, 2025. The least populated regions of Spain were the two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, both with a population of under 90,000 inhabitants that year. The population of Spain has been increasing for many years after experiencing a downward trend between 2012 and 2015, and is projected to grow by nearly half a million by 2027. The population of Spain is dying more than being born Spain has one of the lowest fertility rate in the European Union, with barely 1.29 children per woman. According to the most recent data, more people died in Spain than were being born in 2023, with figures reaching over 434,000 deaths versus 320,000 newborns. Immigration countered this trend One of the key points to balance out this population downtrend in Spain is immigration. Spain’s immigration figures finally started to pick up in 2015 after a downward trend that presumably initiated after the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless, Spaniards still migrate is much larger numbers than before the crisis. According to the latest data, nationals aged between 25 and 34 years represented the largest bulk of emigrants.

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;

Actual value and historical data chart for Spain Population In Largest City

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.

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

This dataset is about cities in Spain. It has 488 rows. It features 4 columns: country, population, and longitude.

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.

Continuous Population Statistics: Resident population by date, sex, age group and nationality (Spanish/foreign). Quarterly. Autonomous Communities and Cities.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Barcelona, Spain metro area from 1950 to 2025.

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.

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.

Table of INEBase Population by year of arrival in Spain, year of arrival in the municipality, sex, age (major groups) and nationality (Spanish/foreign) (Provincial capitals and main cities). Annual. Municipalities. Censo de Población

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

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

Continuous Register Statistics: Population (Spanish/foreigners) by age (year to year) and sex. Annual. Provinces.

Table of INEBase Population aged 16 and over by year of arrival in Spain, year of arrival in the municipality, sex, nationality (Spanish/foreign) and relationship with the activity (provincial capitals and main cities). Annual. Municipalities. Censo de Población

Censo de Población: Population by year of arrival in Spain, year of arrival in the municipality, sex, age (major groups) and nationality (Spanish/foreign) (Provincial capitals and main cities). Annual. Municipalities.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Valencia, Spain metro area from 1950 to 2025.