Country Profile: Spain

Spain, located in Southwestern Europe, boasts a rich geographical and cultural landscape that includes both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. With a population of approximately 47.3 million, the country features a diverse society primarily consisting of Spaniards alongside smaller communities from Morocco and Romania. Spain's economy is characterized as high-income and is the fourth-largest in the eurozone, driven by robust sectors such as tourism and public services, while it grapples with structural unemployment, particularly among the youth. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, Spain has undergone significant political transformations, transitioning to democracy in the late 20th century.

Geography

Spain's geography is marked by its extensive coastline and diverse terrain, including the Pyrenees Mountains and a large plateau. The country covers an area of 505,370 square kilometers, featuring various climate zones from clear, hot summers in the interior to more moderate coastal weather. The population is predominantly settled in urban areas along the coasts, with notable concentration in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.

505,370 sq km - Total area of Spain.
4,964 km - Length of the country's coastline.
1,952.7 km - Total border length with neighboring countries.
38.2% - Percentage of forested land in Spain (2023).
49.6% - Percentage of land designated for agriculture (2023).

People and Society

Spain has a population of around 47.3 million, with a high urbanization rate of 81.6% as of 2023. The country is predominantly Spanish, with significant minorities originating from Morocco and Romania. The age structure shows a median age of 47.2 years, indicating a mature demographic, while Spanish is the primary language spoken across the nation. The country is known for its religious diversity, with Roman Catholicism being the most prominent faith.

47,280,433 - Estimated population for 2024.
81.6% - Urban population (2023).
16.2% - Atheists in the population (2021).
3.98 - Net migration rate per 1,000 people (2025).
83 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024).

Economy

Spain's economy ranks as the fourth largest in the eurozone and is characterized by a diverse range of industries from tourism to agriculture. Despite a historical high unemployment rate, recent trends show recovery with a GDP growth rate of 3.2% projected for 2024. The service sector dominates, contributing to over 69% of the GDP.

$2.361 trillion - Projected GDP (PPP) for 2024.
11.4% - Estimated unemployment rate for 2024.
2.5% - Contribution of agriculture to GDP (2024).
54.3% - Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2023).
20.2% - Population living below the poverty line (2022).

Government

Spain operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature. The King serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister functions as the head of government. Spain has a well-established legal framework and observes a democratic electoral process, with the most recent general elections held in July 2023.

1978 - Year the current constitution was enacted.
179 - Seats held by the People's Party in the Congress of Deputies post-2023 elections.
18 - Minimum voting age for citizens.
2 - Number of autonomous cities administered by Spain.

Military and Security

Spain's military is structured to support both national and international security, with approximately 120,000 active-duty personnel. Military spending has been on the rise, reaching 2% of GDP as of 2025. The country actively participates in EU, NATO, and UN missions, reflecting its commitment to collective security.

2% - Projected military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for 2025.
3,000 - Troops deployed on missions supporting international organizations (2025).
120,000 - Total active-duty military personnel (2025).

Energy

Spain is advancing in energy diversification, with 100% of its population having access to electricity. A substantial part of the energy mix comes from renewable sources, including wind and solar, contributing to a growing commitment to sustainable energy practices.

227.187 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption in 2023.
28% - Contribution of fossil fuels to total installed energy capacity (2023).
130.366 million kW - Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).

Environment

Spain faces environmental challenges including pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and risks from climate change, such as droughts and desertification. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements, targeting issues ranging from air quality to biodiversity conservation.

254.823 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions total for 2023.
27.7% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
49.6% - Land usage for agriculture (2023).

Transportation

Spain has a well-developed transportation network, including an extensive railway system and numerous airports. The civil aviation sector is booming, supporting tourism and cargo transport, while the merchant marine adds to Spain's connectivity with global trade routes.

365 - Total number of airports (2025).
15,489 km - Length of railways (2020).
503 - Total vessels in the merchant fleet (2023).

Communications

Spain demonstrates high connectivity, with approximately 95% of its population using the internet. The communications infrastructure supports a robust mix of traditional and digital media, contributing significantly to cultural exchange and information dissemination.

61.2 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
95% - Internet user percentage (2023).
18.2 million - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	47,280,433	Estimated for 2024
Area	505,370 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$2.361 trillion	Projected for 2024
Unemployment Rate	11.4%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	83 years	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	101.12 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	81.6%	Total urban population (2023)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP	Estimated for 2025
CO2 Emissions	254.823 million metric tonnes	Total for 2023
Municipal Waste Recycled	27.7%	Percentage for 2022