Spanish Population Distribution: History and Density
Historical Origins of Spanish Population Distribution
The eighteenth-century population momentum was more visible in the coastal areas than in the peninsular center. During the nineteenth century, the difference in growth between the central and coastal regions was emphasized. The birth rate remained very high in the southern regions and in Galicia. Madrid began a period of very strong growth that has not stopped until the present day.
The period between 1900 and 1960 saw a great increase in population, resulting in a Spain divided into two main areas:
- Coastal provinces: These areas developed an increasingly diversified and richer economy, with more pronounced population growth, especially from the late fifties after the country overcame the cruel war.
- The interior: This region became sparsely populated, with large depopulated areas. The exceptions were specific provinces such as Madrid and Zaragoza.
Since 1970, a loss of demographic vitality caused by falling birth rates and an aging population began to slow growth across most of the country. To the weak growth in the center, we must add the communities of northern Spain, which suffered a severe economic crisis.
However, other regions maintained robust growth. Some communities ceased to suffer from the emigration process and retained positive demographic dynamics, such as Andalusia, Murcia, and the Canary Islands.
The turn of the century brought a sharp increase in the population. This continued to reinforce the Mediterranean coast, the Islands, Madrid, and its surrounding provinces, which experienced very rapid growth. In contrast, the interior and the northwest quadrant saw stagnant or much weaker growth due to lower socio-economic dynamism.
Current Distribution of the Spanish Population
Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, and Valencia concentrate more than half of the population in Spain. The concept of population density relates the population size to the territory in which it sits.
Population density = 
The average density for Spain is 91 inhabitants/km2. However, the differences between autonomous regions and various provinces are very large. The most densely populated province is Madrid, while the least densely populated is Soria.
While in the interior there are large territories where density does not reach 20 inhabitants/km2, coastal densities usually exceed 100 inhabitants/km2. Additionally, metropolitan regions and areas with a dense urban fabric easily exceed 500 inhabitants/km2.
It is important to note that population growth tends to increase the differences in the distribution of the population and, therefore, the density differences. Consequently, these disparities have been increasing in recent times.