Spain’s population stood at a record 49.8 million residents on 1 July 2026, after increasing by 104,178 people in the second quarter.
The provisional figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute, the INE, show that growth came from an increase in the foreign-born population, while the number of people born in Spain fell.
The data offer a snapshot of the scale and make-up of Spain’s population growth for foreigners already living in the country or planning a move.
- Spain population 2026: record total after another quarterly rise
- Foreign-born residents drive Spain’s population growth
- Colombia, Venezuela and Morocco lead immigration to Spain
- Valencian Community and Balearic Islands post the fastest growth
- Spain’s household total approaches 19.9 million
- INE figures remain provisional
Spain population 2026: record total after another quarterly rise
The 1 July total was the highest in the INE statistical series. Spain’s population was estimated to have grown by 444,205 people over the previous 12 months.
Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
Resident population, 1 July 2026 | 49,801,559 |
Increase in Q2 2026 | 104,178 |
Annual population increase | 444,205 |
Quarterly growth rate | 0.21% |
Annual growth rate | 0.90% |
Foreign-born residents drive Spain’s population growth
Spain had 10,291,807 residents born abroad on 1 July 2026. Their number increased by 37,348 during the quarter.
Meanwhile, the number of people born in Spain fell by 20,367, to 38,993,162.
The INE said this increase in the foreign-born population was responsible for overall population growth.
Foreign nationals in Spain exceed 7.4 million
The country had 7,437,543 foreign nationals on 1 July, following a quarterly increase of 87,197. The number was 4.86% higher than a year earlier.
The foreign-born population is larger than the foreign-national population because some residents born abroad have acquired Spanish nationality.
Population group | Total on 1 July 2026 | Change in Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Foreign nationals | 7,437,543 | +87,197 |
Foreign-born residents | 10,291,807 | +37,348 |
People born in Spain | 38,993,162 | -20,367 |
Colombia, Venezuela and Morocco lead immigration to Spain
Colombian, Venezuelan and Moroccan nationals were the largest groups arriving in Spain during the second quarter of 2026.
Nationality | Arrivals in Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
Colombian | 34,000 |
Venezuelan | 23,300 |
Moroccan | 21,100 |
Spanish | 18,000 |
Peruvian | 16,800 |
Italian | 7,600 |
The figures are grouped by nationality rather than place of birth.
Among those leaving Spain during the same quarter, the largest groups were Colombian nationals, with 11,500 departures, Moroccan nationals, with 10,900, and Venezuelan nationals, with 5,900.
Valencian Community and Balearic Islands post the fastest growth
Population increased across all of Spain’s comunidades autónomas, the country’s regional administrative areas, and its autonomous cities. The largest quarterly percentage increases were recorded in the following regions:
Region | Population change in Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
Valencian Community | 0.43% |
Balearic Islands | 0.36% |
Asturias | 0.29% |
Spain’s household total approaches 19.9 million
The number of households reached 19,874,860 on 1 July, an increase of 58,794 in the second quarter. The total was 1.22% higher year on year.
INE figures remain provisional
The statistics come from the INE’s Continuous Population Statistics. Population figures are provisional until publication of a new population census. The migration figures are a first estimate. Final migration data will be published in the annual Migration and Residence Change Statistics.
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