Extremadura in the 18th Century: Demographics and Social Structure

Demographic Trends in 18th Century Extremadura

During the 18th century, Extremadura recovered from the devastation caused by the War of Succession, which had previously led to the destruction of villages, the impoverishment of farmland, and a significant population decline to under half a million inhabitants. While the 17th century suffered a negative demographic balance, the 18th century witnessed a notable recovery.

Factors of Demographic Growth

This positive demographic shift was driven by several key factors:

• A catastrophic decline in mortality rates.
• A reduction in crop failures.
• General economic growth.
• Improvements in nutrition due to the introduction of the potato and maize.

Despite this growth, Extremadura remained a region with a very low population density, recorded at approximately 9.5 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Social Structure in 18th Century Extremadura

Extremaduran society during this period was defined by a rigid class system consisting of three estates: the nobility, the clergy, and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed significant privileges, most notably tax exemptions.

The Nobility

The nobility was a minority that owned the majority of the land and held the most important administrative positions. This group was stratified into:

• High Nobility
• Lower Nobility
• Gentry: Individuals with limited land and rental income.

The Clergy

The clergy was divided into two distinct groups:

• High Clergy: Bishops and abbots with wealth comparable to the nobility, deriving income from land, livestock, and the tithe (a tenth of all crops).
• Low Clergy: Monks and local parish priests.

At the time, Extremadura was divided into three dioceses: Plasencia-Coria, Cáceres, and Badajoz.

The Third Estate

The Third Estate, or commoners, possessed no privileges and lived largely in poverty. This group included:

• Farmers: A small minority of landowners, while the majority were landless day laborers.
• Bourgeoisie: A numerically weak group consisting of artisans—notably those in the manufacturing of panels in Torremocha, Hervás, and Casatejada—as well as government officials, military personnel, professionals, and merchants who engaged in capital lending and trade with marginalized minorities.