Catalonia's Demographic History: Population Pyramid and Transition Stages

Catalonia Population Pyramid Analysis

The following chart illustrates the population pyramid of Catalonia (CAT).

Key Observations from the Pyramid Base

• Base (2001–2006): There was a surge in birth rates, primarily due to inmigration.
• 1987–1997 Cohort: We observe a progressive decline in the birth rate, leading toward zero growth.
• Ages 5–9: This cohort corresponds to the 15–19 years fertility rate of 1.2 children per woman.
• Ages 25–29 to 40–44: This is the widest section of the pyramid, corresponding to the Baby Boom era (1962 to 1981). This period saw a high birth rate (approximately 20 per thousand) and a massive influx of immigrants, especially in Barcelona (Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, El Clot).

Impact of the Spanish Civil War (1937–1941)

The cohort aged 65–69 years (born 1937–1941) shows a slightly narrower section in the pyramid. This period, marking the end of the Spanish Civil War, implies a low birth rate because of the hunger that had begun (the 1940s decade).

However, birth recovery occurred between 1941 and 1958. The cohort born during the Spanish Civil War is the narrowest, even smaller than those born earlier.

Elderly Population

We observe a large elderly population, accounting for 15% to 18% of the total population.

Four Stages of Catalonia's Demographic Transition (1950–2009)

To explain the evolution of the population in Catalonia, we examine the four stages of demographic change from 1950 to 2009.

Stage 1: High Stationary (1925–1950)

• Total Birth Rate (TN): 25 per thousand (‰)
• Mortality Rate (TM): 22‰
• Natural Growth (CV): 3‰
• Characteristics: The population was largely illiterate, and life expectancy was approximately 60 years.
• Historical Context: The Spanish Flu of 1918 killed 20 million people globally, as antibiotics were unavailable. Following World War I, hunger ensued. Spain was poor; sales per capita in 1950 were about €300, compared to €30,000 in 2009.

Stage 2: Early Expanding (1960–1970)

• Total Birth Rate (TN): 22‰
• Mortality Rate (TM): 10‰
• Natural Growth (CV): 12‰
• Characteristics: This was the Baby Boom era. Society was closed, characterized by day laborers, with most people working in the fields, relying on a subsistence economy.
• Social and Medical Advances: Construction of hospitals appeared, along with Social Security and antibiotics.

Franco Regime and Birth Incentives

The Franco regime supported high birth rates; families received incentives (points/money) for having four or more children. Large families were highly valued. Unemployment was high (4.5 million people), but this was mitigated by emigration to America and the development of tourism. These factors ensured the Baby Boom continued in Spain.

Catalonia's Industrial Context

Catalonia experienced a failure in the Industrial Revolution because it lacked coal. Coal imported from England was superior and cheaper than what was available in Spain. Since coal was unavailable, water power from rivers was utilized for industrial purposes.

Cotton production stopped internationally due to the American Civil War (War of Secession). England sourced cotton from India. Catalans traveled to Europe seeking tropical cotton sources like India and found suitable land in Granada. Consequently, the Catalan textile industry no longer needed external cotton, relying instead on cotton from Granada and wool from Extremadura. Over 300 years, Catalonia's development has steadily increased.

Stage 3: Late Expanding (1980–1990)

• Total Birth Rate (TN): 12‰
• Mortality Rate (TM): 10‰
• Natural Growth (CV): 2‰

Stage 4: Low Stationary / Decline (Late 1990s and 2000s)

This stage marked the beginning of zero growth.

• Total Birth Rate (TN): 10‰
• Mortality Rate (TM): 12‰
• Natural Growth (CV): -2‰ (Negative Growth)
• Result: Zero population growth.