Spain's population is approaching 50 million, fueled by record immigration levels, according to data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). As of early 2026, the population stands at approximately 49.5 million, with net migration accounting for over 90% of the increase in recent years.
To address declining birth rates and labor shortages, Spain has increasingly relied on foreign workers. Moroccan nationals represent the largest immigrant group, with over 900,000 residents, and are heavily employed in agriculture, construction, and services. A 2025 report by the Bank of Spain estimated that immigration contributed 0.5 percentage points to annual GDP growth, with Moroccan workers playing a key role.
The trend is expected to continue, as Spain's working-age population shrinks due to an aging demographic. The government has implemented policies to streamline work permits for non-EU migrants, particularly from Morocco, to sustain economic expansion.
