People & economy

Spain: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Spain: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
46,723,749
#30 of 197 countries
Area
505,370 km²
#53 of 248 countries
Density
92.5 / km²
#118 of 245 countries

Spain has a population of 46,723,749 spread across 505,370 km², giving it an average density of 92.5 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
47.2
Life Expectancy
83.0 yrs
Literacy Rate
99.7%
Government
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Spain is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 60% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$33,493
Cost of Living
60% of US
Inflation
3.5%
Inequality
33.6
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$48,400
Unemployment
11.4%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Outbound Tourists
6,236,000
Air Passengers
94,101,520
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Spain there are 4.29 doctors per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.29/1k
Hospital Beds
2.91/1k
Health Spend
$3107/person
Infant Mortality
2.6/1k
Immunization
97%
Safe Drinking Water
99.9%
Basic Sanitation
99.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Spain, 95% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 128 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
95.5%
Mobile Subs
128/100
Broadband
37.2/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data