The population, however, is unevenly distributed between regions: there is a growing tendency toward human concentration in the peripheral and urban areas and a tendency toward depopulation in the interior (except Madrid) and rural areas.

The urban population represents 76% of the total population. Large metropolitan areas include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, etc.

The community with the highest population density is Madrid, followed by the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Balearics.

 

Spain follows the pattern of most developed nations with regard to the structure of the population per gender, with the birth of approximately 105 boys for every 100 girls.

However, as the male death rate is higher than that of women in all age groups, both genders balance out and the male/female population is equal at the age of 40.

From this age onward, the number of women slightly surpasses the number of men, until the point where, at the age of 85, there are only 45 men per 100 women.

The annual population growth rate in Spain is one of the lowest in the world, as a result of the decline in the birth rate.

To this we must add the fact that the life expectancy is one of the highest in the world (77 years).

In addition, 15% of the population is younger than 15, while 18% is older than 64.

Taking all this into account, the Spanish population still remains relatively young when compared with some of its neighbouring European countries. Spain is a non-denominational country and its Constitution recognises the right to religious freedom.

However, the majority of Spaniards practice the Catholic religion, which is well extended throughout society. Castilian or Spanish is the nation's official language. The following languages are also official in their respective autonomous communities; Catalan, Galician, Basque and Valencian.

 

 

The population, however, is unevenly distributed between regions: there is a growing tendency toward human concentration in the peripheral and urban areas and a tendency toward depopulation in the interior (except Madrid) and rural areas.

The urban population represents 76% of the total population. Large metropolitan areas include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, etc.

The community with the highest population density is Madrid, followed by the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Balearics.

 

Spain follows the pattern of most developed nations with regard to the structure of the population per gender, with the birth of approximately 105 boys for every 100 girls.

However, as the male death rate is higher than that of women in all age groups, both genders balance out and the male/female population is equal at the age of 40.

From this age onward, the number of women slightly surpasses the number of men, until the point where, at the age of 85, there are only 45 men per 100 women.

The annual population growth rate in Spain is one of the lowest in the world, as a result of the decline in the birth rate.

To this we must add the fact that the life expectancy is one of the highest in the world (77 years).

In addition, 15% of the population is younger than 15, while 18% is older than 64.

Taking all this into account, the Spanish population still remains relatively young when compared with some of its neighbouring European countries. Spain is a non-denominational country and its Constitution recognises the right to religious freedom.

However, the majority of Spaniards practice the Catholic religion, which is well extended throughout society. Castilian or Spanish is the nation's official language. The following languages are also official in their respective autonomous communities; Catalan, Galician, Basque and Valencian.