Understanding Spain's Demographic Shifts: Birth Rates, Mortality, and Transition

Spain's Current Demographic Regime (1975-Present)

The current demographic regime: Since 1975 until now, it features low birth rates and mortality, resulting in slow natural growth.

Declining Birth Rate

a) The birth rate declined from 17,975 to low levels. Two phases are distinguishable: from 1975 to 1998, births sharply declined. In 1981, the index was 2.1 children per woman (the limit to replace the population) and continued decreasing until reaching the minimum in 1998 (1.24).

Causes:

• Economic situation
• Late marriage age
• Female fertile period shortening
• The resulting crisis of 1975 and since 1980, labor insecurity and high purchase price and rental housing, and difficult emancipation from parents.
• Societal changes in mindset and values, decreased religious influence, use of contraception, and legalized abortion in some cases.
• Women working and delaying childbearing (30-34).
• Important changes in romantic relationships and different family forms.

From 1998, birth rates experienced a slight recovery due to immigration. Immigration increased the birth rate and the number of women of childbearing age (higher fertility).

Low Mortality Figures

b) Mortality figures are low, increasing since 1982 due to the aging population. There is an apparent increase in mortality due to the increase in the elderly population, but actual mortality decreases, increasing life expectancy. The causes of death changed: fewer infectious diseases and an increase in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and road accidents. There is also growth in diseases linked to aging and social ills. Low infant and neonatal mortality are also observed. Life expectancy increases due to progress in medicine, with gender differences, age groups, and backgrounds playing a role.

• By gender: Women have stronger biological reasons (hormonal and immunological). Men have had a different lifestyle with increased risk (war, hard work, physical wear, accidents, and excess habits, eating habits, and less health care).
• By age: Greater gains in life expectancy for the elderly (70-80) and young (18-35). In youth, numbers are affected by accidents and AIDS (1990s).
• By social status: Higher life expectancy for those with minor professions, fewer occupational fatalities, and access to more and better health services (the rich).

Decreased Natural Growth

c) Natural growth in the current demographic regime decreased from 1998 due to low birth and mortality rates, growing slightly due to birth recovery.

The Demographic Transition (1900-1975)

The demographic transition 1900-1975: Decrease in birth rates and a sharp decline in elevated mortality resulted in natural growth.

Falling Birth Rate

a) The birth rate falls with periods of growth and recovery (historical events). In 1920, it recovered due to prosperity. In 1930 and 1956, it dropped due to the economic crisis of 1929 and instability during the Second Republic, the Civil War, and the postwar period. Subnatalidad was caused by exiled people and problems. In 1956 and 1965, natalidad recovered due to the baby boom. It decreased in 1965 and 1975 as family size reduced due to urban industrial life, which reduced the economic value of children.

Decreasing Mortality

b) Mortality decreases except for the 1918 flu and the Civil War.

Causes:

• Reduced health risks.
• Increased level of life by improving diet and educational and cultural growth.
• Progress with vaccines and medical commercialization of antibiotics.
• Death diminishes for women in childbirth, and births are more common in clinics.
• Better personal hygiene.
• Infant mortality decreased post-neonatally due to progress in pediatrics and child feeding and maternal care improvements.

High Natural Growth

c) Natural growth was especially high in 1920-1965 because mortality and birth rates dropped sharply.