Economic Development and Social Transformation in Spain

Economic Development and Social Changes

After the severe economic crisis that began in 1973, Western economies began a process of recovery and growth, in which Spain participated significantly. At this stage, driven largely by gains from entry into the EEC, Spain narrowed its gap with more advanced countries, positioning itself as the eighth-largest economy in the world.

Despite the strong growth of recent decades, Spain has maintained some structural problems:

• Unemployment: Rates are among the highest in industrialized European countries.
• External Deficit: Remained high due to growing imports of energy and industrial products.
• Technological Gap: Some backwardness persists.
• Market Reliance: Growth has relied heavily on the real estate market.

Demographic Shifts and Immigration

In 2007, the resident population in Spain reached 45.2 million, a figure that was unthinkable only 12 years prior, when it was believed that low natural growth, low birth rates, and an aging population would lead to demographic stagnation. However, these forecasts were disrupted by the massive arrival of immigrants:

• In 2007, 4.5 million residents were foreign-born (10% of the population).
• In 1998, this figure did not exceed 700,000.
• 84% of immigrants arrived in Spain within that 10-year period.

This process resulted from the attractiveness of the Spanish economy, coupled with the ease of migration from countries with high poverty levels. The majority of immigrants come from Morocco, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, with preferred destinations being the Mediterranean coast, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

Labor Market and Social Evolution

The economic expansion of recent decades led to an increased population, which rose from 12.5 million people in 1996 to 20.3 million in 2007. In parallel, there has been a major transformation of the Spanish labor market:

• The primary sector has lost importance.
• The secondary and tertiary sectors have gained prominence.
• Female employment has continued its growth trend.

Changes in Family Structure

Regarding family structure, alternative models have emerged alongside the traditional family, including:

• Single-parent households
• Unmarried couples
• Same-sex couples

There has been a democratization of domestic relations, where authoritarian parental control has lost prestige in favor of more affective and tolerant models. This, combined with the prolongation of studies and job insecurity, has delayed the emancipation of young people from the family home and the formation of new families.