Spain
Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy occupying 505992 km² (195364 sq mi) of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by five countries and a coastline of 4964 km (3084 mi). Current estimates show a population of approximately 49.9 million people and a GDP per capita of 37810 USD, positioning the nation as a major economic power in Southern Europe.
Where is Spain?
Spain
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Coordinates
- 40.00°, -4.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 50M
- Area
- 505,992 km²
- Density per km²
- 99 / km²
- Growth rate
- +1.02%
- Annual growth
- +509.1K people
- Daily growth
- +1.4K people
- World population share
- 0.61%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Spain
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Madrid
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 505,992 km²
- Languages
- Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC, UTC+01:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Spanish economy ranks 15th globally and 6th in Europe by total GDP, showing strong performance with an annual growth rate of 3.46%. Current data indicates a GDP per capita of 35327 USD, which ranks 45th globally and 6th in the Southern Europe subregion. While the unemployment rate of 10.4% is ranked 37th globally (largest first), the nation continues to diversify through key sectors such as tourism, automobile manufacturing, and renewable energy production.
Society
Spain features a life expectancy of 83.9 years, which ranks 12th globally, supported by a comprehensive public health system. Education is highly prioritized, resulting in an adult literacy rate of 99.7% that ranks 16th in the world. Digital integration is robust, as 95.8% of the population uses the internet, placing the country 25th in the latest global ranking for internet connectivity.
Climate & Environment
The country primarily experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters along the coasts. Inland areas near the capital, Madrid, face more continental variations with greater temperature extremes, while the northern regions receive significant rainfall from the Atlantic Ocean.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Independence
- 1492-01-01 (Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon (unification))
Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy where the monarch serves as the head of state and a symbol of national unity but possesses limited political power. Executive authority is exercised by the President of the Government (Prime Minister), who is supported by a Council of Ministers. The legislative branch, known as the Cortes Generales, is bicameral, consisting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. One of the most distinctive features of the Spanish political system is its highly decentralized structure. The country is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla, each possessing varying degrees of self-governance over areas such as education, healthcare, and regional development. This system recognizes linguistic and cultural diversity, providing official status to languages like Catalan, Basque, and Galician alongside Spanish. Since the transition to democracy in the late 1970s, Spain has maintained a stable multi-party system operating under the framework of its constitution.
History
Modern Spain traces its unified origins to 1 January 1492, following the unification of the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. This era marked the beginning of a vast global empire, as Spain became a dominant world power through exploration and colonization in the Americas and the Pacific. The 16th and 17th centuries are often described as the Golden Age, though subsequent periods saw the decline of imperial influence due to series of wars and internal instability. The early 20th century was defined by political turmoil, leading to the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. This conflict resulted in nearly four decades of authoritarian rule under General Francisco Franco. Following Franco's death in 1975, Spain underwent a remarkably peaceful transition to democracy, establishing a constitutional monarchy. The nation joined the European Union in 1986, catalyzing significant economic modernization and social liberalization. Today, Spain is a prominent global actor, ranked 12th in the world for life expectancy at 83.89 years and boasting a 99.7% literacy rate. Its modern history is characterized by rapid integration into international organizations and a focus on balancing regional identities with national unity.
Notable Facts
- Pico de Teide, located on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, is the highest point in Spanish territory at 3718 m (12198 ft).
- The nation boasts a diverse linguistic landscape where Catalan, Basque, and Galician hold co-official status alongside Spanish in their respective regions.
- Spain has 4964 km (3084 mi) of coastline, contributing to its status as one of the most visited countries in the world.
- With a life expectancy of 83.89 years, Spain ranks 12th globally, supported by its high-quality healthcare and Mediterranean lifestyle.
- The country spans 505992 km² (195365 sq mi) and is the only European nation to share a land border with an African country via its autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands (3,718 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 4,964 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in SpainExplore weather and climate data for cities in Spain
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Madrid
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°C / 2°C | 8°C / -1°C | 7days (38 mm) Good | 7.1h Good | 74% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| February | 15°C / 4°C | 12°C / 1°C | 5days (19 mm) Good | 9h Good | 68% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| March | 16°C / 6°C | 13°C / 3°C | 11days (98 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 66% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| April | 20°C / 8°C | 18°C / 6°C | 8days (48 mm) Wet | 11.4h Excellent | 59% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| May best | 25°C / 12°C | 24°C / 10°C | 6days (29 mm) Good | 13.1h Excellent | 52% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| June best | 30°C / 16°C | 30°C / 15°C | 5days (23 mm) Good | 13.5h Excellent | 45% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| July | 35°C / 19°C | 34°C / 18°C | 2days (4 mm) Excellent | 14.2h Excellent | 35% Comfortable | Good | View Details |
| August best | 34°C / 19°C | 34°C / 18°C | 2days (8 mm) Excellent | 13h Excellent | 37% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 27°C / 15°C | 26°C / 14°C | 5days (43 mm) Good | 11.2h Excellent | 53% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| October | 22°C / 11°C | 21°C / 10°C | 8days (74 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 64% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| November | 15°C / 7°C | 13°C / 4°C | 8days (47 mm) Wet | 7.5h Good | 75% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| December | 12°C / 4°C | 9°C / 1°C | 7days (46 mm) Good | 6.4h Fair | 79% Humid | Fair | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 11°C / 2°C . Feb: 15°C / 4°C . Mar: 16°C / 6°C . Apr: 20°C / 8°C . May: 25°C / 12°C . Jun: 30°C / 16°C . Jul: 35°C / 19°C . Aug: 34°C / 19°C . Sep: 27°C / 15°C . Oct: 22°C / 11°C . Nov: 15°C / 7°C . Dec: 12°C / 4°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 38 mm. Feb: 19 mm. Mar: 98 mm. Apr: 48 mm. May: 29 mm. Jun: 23 mm. Jul: 4 mm. Aug: 8 mm. Sep: 43 mm. Oct: 74 mm. Nov: 47 mm. Dec: 46 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Spain is approximately 50M (2024).
The capital of Spain is Madrid.
Spain's GDP per capita is $37.8K (2024).
Life expectancy in Spain is 83.89 years (2024).
Spain covers 505,992 km² (195,365 sq mi).
Spain has a moderate population density of 99 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Spain's population is growing steadily at 1.0% per year, in line with global averages.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Spain falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $37.8K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Spain reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.
Spain has 4 official languages: Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician.
Spain uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Spain are May, June, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show Spain has a population of approximately 49.9 million people. This reflects an annual growth rate of 1.02%, ranking the nation 32nd globally and 6th within Europe by population size. The country also maintains a high urban population proportion of 80.3%.
According to the latest available data, Spain's GDP per capita is 35327 USD, with current projections suggesting it may reach 37810 USD. This economic output ranks the country 45th globally and 6th among Southern European nations for GDP per capita, supported by a 3.46% annual growth rate.
Life expectancy in Spain is 83.9 years, which is among the highest in the world. The nation currently ranks 12th globally for life expectancy, supported by a robust public healthcare system and the widespread adoption of a healthy Mediterranean diet and lifestyle across the country.
Spain has a very high adult literacy rate of 99.7% among its population. This achievement ranks the country 16th globally, reflecting its strong commitment to universal education and significant public investment in the national school system across its various autonomous communities and regions.
Approximately 95.8% of the population in Spain are internet users. This high level of digital connectivity ranks the country 25th globally, highlighting a modern infrastructure that supports widespread access to online services, education, and digital commerce for nearly all residents.
The unemployment rate in Spain is 10.4%, which currently ranks 37th globally when ordered by the highest rates. While the job market faces persistent structural challenges, recent data shows the economy is supported by a strong annual GDP growth rate of 3.46% across various industries.
Spain is a highly urbanized nation, with 80.3% of its population living in cities and metropolitan areas like Madrid and Barcelona. This urban density, which averages 99.8 people per km² (258.5 people per sq mi), has fostered significant development in infrastructure and the service-based economy.
The estimated 2026 population of Spain is approximately 49.9 million. This current estimate is based on projections from the latest official 2024 data of 48.8 million people. The growth is largely attributed to international migration, which continues to bolster the total population despite a very low domestic fertility rate.
Spain currently ranks global 32 of 215 countries in terms of total population. In regional terms, it is the 6th most populous country in Europe and the 2nd most populous in Southern Europe. This ranking highlights Spain's significant demographic weight within the European Union and the Mediterranean region.
The estimated 2026 population density of Spain is 99.8 people per km² (258.5 sq mi). While this average is moderate, it masks a high degree of regional variation, with densely packed urban centers and coastal strips contrasting against the sparsely populated interior provinces of the Spanish heartland.
Spain's population is currently growing at an annual rate of approximately 1.02%. Although the country experiences a natural decrease because deaths outnumber births, a high net migration rate of over 1,300 people per day ensures that the total population continues to rise according to recent estimates.
The fertility rate in Spain is 1.1 births per woman, which is the 205th highest globally out of 215 countries. This is well below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating that without significant migration, the domestic population would naturally contract over time due to a low birth rate.
Approximately 80.3% of Spain's population lives in urban areas, according to the latest available data. This high urbanization rank, 56th in the world, reflects the concentration of residents in major hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, while large portions of the rural interior remain very sparsely inhabited.
All Indicators
Explore Spain's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
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