Mortality Decline and Natural Growth in Spain: A Demographic Analysis

Factors Explaining the Decline in Mortality

Sanitary Measures and Socioeconomic Resources

Medical advances and improvements in socioeconomic resources, especially food availability, have contributed significantly to the decline in mortality rates.

A combination of social, demographic, economic, and cultural factors has positively impacted the overall health of the population.

Spatial Distribution of Mortality in Spain

By Autonomous Community

Currently, regions with higher mortality rates include Asturias, Aragón, Baleares, and Galicia. Conversely, the Canary Islands, Madrid, Murcia, Andalusia, and Catalonia have the lowest rates. However, when considering average life expectancy, northern regions show more positive indices than southern regions.

Rural vs. Urban Areas

Disparities also exist between rural and urban areas due to differing lifestyles and unequal access to healthcare, education, and welfare.

Natural Increase

Natural population growth is the mechanism that regulates changes in population size based on birth and mortality rates.

Phases of Natural Growth

Natural increase has generally trended upwards since the late nineteenth century due to a continuous decline in mortality and a slower reduction in fertility. However, distinct stages can be identified:

• 1850-1900: Irregular natural growth due to epidemic mortality.
• 1900-1950: Higher growth rates than the previous period due to declining mortality and consistently high birth rates. Key turning points include the 1918 flu pandemic and mortality caused by the Civil War.
• 1950-1970: Highest natural growth period, with mortality reaching its lowest values and birth rates remaining high (over 20 per thousand).
• From the 1970s: Natural growth began to decline following a fall in fertility and increased mortality. This decline was abrupt, with the natural growth rate dropping sharply from 1.1% in 1977 to 0.2% in 1999. Recent years have seen a slight recovery.

Reasons for Changes in Natural Growth

The Demographic Transition Theory

The demographic transition theory explains the shift from a system with high birth and mortality rates (slow growth) to a modern balance with slow growth due to reduced birth and mortality rates. A transitional phase of high growth exists between these periods, driven by a decrease in mortality preceding a decline in births.

The causes of the demographic transition are linked to social, cultural, and especially economic modernization.

Spain's demographic transition is unique compared to other European countries due to a later reduction in both mortality and birth rates. Consequently, the period of maximum population growth in Spain was delayed by almost a century compared to some European countries.

Regional variations also exist in natural movement patterns. Notably, some communities maintain positive growth (Canary Islands, Madrid, Murcia, and Andalusia), while others experience weak or negative growth.