Country Profile: Spain

Spain, located in Southwestern Europe, boasts a diverse geography featuring mountains, plateaus, and extensive coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of over 47 million, it is known for its rich cultural heritage, a robust economy primarily driven by tourism and services, and a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Following a transition to democracy in the late 20th century, Spain has navigated economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, particularly among youth. The country remains a significant player within the EU and the eurozone, facing ongoing regional tensions, especially in Catalonia.

Geography

Spain has a total area of 505,370 sq km, which includes major topographical features such as the Pyrenees Mountains and various coastal regions. The climate ranges from temperate to Mediterranean, affecting population distribution, with urbanization concentrated along the coasts and around cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

4,964 km of coastline
1,952.7 km of land boundaries
38.2% of land is forested (2023)
Highest point: 3,718 m at Pico de Teide (Canary Islands)
49.6% of land is designated for agriculture (2023)

People and Society

With an estimated population of 47,280,433 in 2024, Spain has a diverse demographic, where approximately 84.8% identify as Spanish. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, with a growing percentage of atheists and agnostics. Spain has a high literacy rate of 99.7% and an urbanization rate of 81.6%.

66.1% of the population is aged 15-64 years
Life expectancy at birth is 83 years (2024)
26.4% youth unemployment rate (2024)
0.12% population growth rate (2025)
10.7% of GDP spent on health (2021)

Economy

Spain maintains a high-income economy characterized by strong service sector growth, including tourism, which plays a vital role in its economic structure. The GDP in purchasing power parity is projected at $2.361 trillion for 2024, with a growth rate of 3.2% forecasted for the same year. Despite challenges such as high unemployment, ongoing fiscal measures are in place to stabilize the economy.

11.4% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
69.1% of the GDP comes from the services sector (2024)
54.3% of household consumption (2023)
Agricultural products include milk, olives, and pork (2023)

Government

Spain operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The constitution, enacted in 1978, marks Spain's transition to democracy post-Franco regime. The legislative body consists of a bicameral system, encompassing the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities
18 years as the legal voting age
Most recent election on July 23, 2023
44.3% of Congress members are women

Military and Security

The Spanish Armed Forces comprise the Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force, along with the Civil Guard responsible for domestic security. Spain has a professional military with voluntary service, and it contributes to international missions in collaboration with the EU and NATO.

120,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
2% of GDP allocated for military expenditures (2025)
Engaged in 17 international missions (2025)
3,000 personnel deployed in various missions

Energy

Spain boasts a comprehensive energy sector with 100% electricity access for its population. The country is diversifying its energy sources, with significant contributions from renewables such as wind and solar power accounting for 40.9% of total installed capacity.

227.187 billion kWh electricity consumption (2023)
7 nuclear reactors operational (2025)
1.28 million metric tons of coal produced (2023)
34.124 million cubic meters of natural gas produced (2023)

Communications

Spain is highly connected, with 95% of the population using the internet. The telecommunications infrastructure includes a mix of private and public services, with widespread mobile subscriptions.

61.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)
18.431 million fixed-line subscriptions (2023)
18.2 million broadband fixed subscriptions (2023)
Over 1,000 TV channels available

Transportation

Spain's transportation network is extensive, with significant air, rail, and maritime infrastructure supporting both domestic and international travel. The country has 365 airports, making it accessible from various global locations.

15,489 km of railways (2020)
52 total ports (2024)
503 registered merchant marine vessels (2023)
162 heliports (2025)

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 at Birth	83 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	99.7%	(2021 est.)
Urban Population	81.6%	(2023)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP	(2025 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Renewable Water Resources	111.5 billion cubic meters	(2022 est.)