Spain: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Spain — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

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 — Spain has 4.29 physicians 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 — expect widely available WiFi in 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