Country Profile: Spain

Spain, located in southwestern Europe, has a rich cultural heritage and diverse geography characterized by a variety of landscapes from coastal plains to rugged mountains. The country, which is home to approximately 47 million people, boasts one of the largest economies in the euro zone, driven largely by services and tourism. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, Spain transitioned to democracy in the late 20th century and continues to evolve amidst both economic growth and social challenges, including regional independence movements.

Geography

Spain is strategically situated in southwestern Europe, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest. It features a diverse landscape, including the Pyrenees Mountains to the north and extensive coastlines. The climate ranges from temperate in the interior to more moderate along the coasts, making it prone to occasional droughts and flooding.

Area: 505,370 sq km
Highest point: Pico de Teide, Canary Islands at 3,718 m
Terrain: Predominantly a large plateau surrounded by hills
Coastline: 4,964 km
Natural hazards: Volcanism, with active volcanoes in the Canary Islands

People and Society

Spain has a population of approximately 47.3 million people, with a significant proportion residing in urban areas such as Madrid and Barcelona. The country exhibits rich ethnic diversity, with 84.8% identifying as Spanish. Spanish is the official language, but regional languages such as Catalan and Basque are also widely spoken.

Urban population: 81.6% of total population
Median age: 46.8 years
Life expectancy: 83 years
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman
Literacy rate: 100%

Economy

Spain's economy is classified as high-income, benefiting from a robust growth model largely focused on services, especially tourism. Despite a high unemployment rate that remains a challenge, economic indicators suggest a recovery following the global financial crisis.

GDP (PPP): $2.361 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 3.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11.4% (2024 est.)
Public debt: 107.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exports: $642.358 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Spain operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral legislature called Las Cortes Generales. The current monarch is King Felipe VI, while the head of government is Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The country's legal system is based on civil law with regional variations.

Capital: Madrid
Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities
Suffrage age: 18 years
Political parties: Includes People's Party (PP), Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), and Vox
National holiday: 12 October

Military and Security

The Spanish Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force, alongside the Civil Guard which performs police duties. Spain has a professional military and has been involved in various international missions supporting EU and NATO activities.

Active personnel: Approximately 120,000 in the Armed Forces
Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Major deployments: Up to 3,000 military personnel on international missions
Nuclear reactors: 7 operational by 2025
Civil Guard strength: Approximately 80,000 personnel

Energy

Spain has made significant advancements in its energy sector, focusing on renewable sources while maintaining traditional fossil fuel generation. The country has 100% electricity access and a growing renewable energy capacity.

Installed capacity: 130.366 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 227.187 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Coal production: 1.28 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Natural gas imports: 35.252 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 254.823 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Environment

Spain faces several environmental challenges, including pollution and climate change impacts, particularly concerning water resources. It is engaged in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Urban population: 81.6% of total population
Agricultural land: 53.4% (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 111.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Waste recycling rate: 16.8% (2015 est.)
Geoparks: 18 recognized by 2025

Transportation

Spain has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including extensive railway networks and a significant number of airports and ports, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

Railways: 15,489 km total (2020)
Airports: 365 (2025)
Merchant marine: 503 vessels (2023)
Total ports: 52 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration code: EC

Communications

Spain enjoys high connectivity across telecommunications, with a significant percentage of the population using mobile phones and the internet.

Internet users: 95% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 18.431 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 61.2 million (2023 est.)
Broadband fixed subscriptions: 18.2 million (2023 est.)
Telephones per 100 inhabitants: 124 (mobile) (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	47,280,433 (2024 est.)
Area	505,370 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$2.361 trillion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	11.4% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	83 years (2024 est.)
Electricity access	100% (2022 est.)
Urban population	81.6% (2023)
Military expenditures	1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita	101.12 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Agricultural land	53.4% (2022 est.)