Spain Sees First Rise in Births in a Decade with Slight 2025 Increase
According to preliminary estimates from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), there were 321,164 newborns in 2025, an increase of 3,159 from 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of about 1%. This is the first time in the past decade that the number of births has shown positive growth.
Although the increase is modest, this change offers a new perspective on the long-standing issue of low fertility rates.
A Tentative Reversal of a Decade-Long Decline
INE data indicates that the number of newborns in 2024 was 318,005. The 2025 figure puts an end to the continuous downward trend. Compared to 420,290 births in 2015, the 2025 total is still approximately 99,126 lower, a decrease of about 23.6%. These are preliminary figures, with final results pending confirmation.
Continued Delay in Maternal Age
The rise in newborns is accompanied by the trend of delayed motherhood. In 2015, births to mothers aged 40 and over accounted for 7.8% of the total; by 2025, this proportion had risen to 10.4%, involving 33,360 infants. The percentage of mothers over 35 reached 40.1%, reflecting the widespread phenomenon of later childbearing in society.
Natural Population Growth Remains Negative
During the same period, the number of deaths was 446,982, a 2.5% year-on-year increase. The difference between births and deaths resulted in a natural population growth of approximately -122,167. Spain’s overall population growth is primarily driven by immigration.
Regional Disparities in Growth
Some regions experienced faster growth: Madrid at 3.3% and the Basque Country at 3.0%. This data provides a basis for discussions on demographic policies.
