Country Profile: Spain

Spain, located in Southwestern Europe, features diverse geography from its temperate coastal areas to the rugged Pyrenees Mountains. With a population of approximately 47.3 million (2024 est.), Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy consisting of 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. The economy is the fourth-largest in the euro zone, heavily influenced by tourism and public consumption, though recent years have seen high unemployment, particularly among youth. Despite its challenges, Spain continues to be a dynamic nation with a rich cultural heritage and a commitment to democratic governance following a transition from dictatorship in the late 20th century.

Geography

Spain is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest, featuring a varied terrain that includes large plateaus and the notable Pyrenees Mountains. The country has a total area of 505,370 sq km, which incorporates multiple autonomous regions and islands.

Highest Point: Pico de Teide at 3,718 m (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
Coastline: 4,964 km
Land Boundaries: 1,952.7 km with Portugal, France, and others
Arable Land: 23% of agricultural land (2023 est.)
Climate: Temperate with hot summers and mild winters

People and Society

With a population of approximately 47.3 million (2024 est.), Spain is characterized by a rich tapestry of ethnicities, predominantly Spanish (84.8%). The society is diverse, with significant communities of Moroccans and Romanians, and multiple regional languages including Catalan, Galician, and Basque.

Urbanization Rate: 81.6% of the population is urban (2023)
Life Expectancy: 83 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate: 99.7% (2021 est.)
Median Age: 47.2 years (2025 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Birth Rate: 7.16 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Primary Language: Castilian Spanish (74%)

Economy

Spain boasts a high-income economy, marked by strong growth primarily driven by tourism and services, accounting for 69.1% of GDP (2024 est.). Despite high structural unemployment, especially among youth, the country has made strides in economic recovery following earlier recessions.

GDP (PPP): $2.361 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $48,400 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 11.4% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 2.8% (2024 est.)
Exports: $642.358 billion (2024 est.)
Major Exports: Cars, refined petroleum, and pharmaceuticals (2023)
Population Below Poverty Line: 20.2% (2022 est.)

Government

Spain operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with its capital in Madrid. The political structure includes a bicameral legislature known as The Cortes, consisting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

Current Monarch: King Felipe VI (since 2014)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (since 2018)
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Latest Election Date: July 2023
Administrative Divisions: Seventeen autonomous communities and two autonomous cities

Military and Security

Spain possesses a robust military framework, overseeing approximately 120,000 active-duty personnel as of 2025. The country participates actively in international missions under NATO and the UN, emphasizing its commitment to global security.

Military Expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Current Military Personnel: 120,000 (2025)
Major Deployments: Up to 3,000 military personnel supporting international missions
Number of Operational Nuclear Reactors: 7 (2025)
Military Service Age: 18 years for voluntary service

Energy

Spain has achieved 100% electrification, utilizing a diverse energy portfolio, including nuclear, solar, and wind. The country continues to invest in renewable energy, highlighting its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 130.366 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 227.187 billion kWh (2023)
Natural Gas Consumption: 29.041 billion cubic meters (2023)
Renewables Share in Electricity Generation: 49.6% (including solar, wind, etc., 2023 est.)
Coal Production: 1.28 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Transportation

Spain has a well-developed transportation network, featuring extensive railways, highways, and a significant number of airports and ports, facilitating domestic and international connectivity.

Total Airports: 365 (2025)
Railways: 15,489 km (2020)
Merchant Marine: 503 vessels (2023)
Total Ports: 52 (2024)
Heliports: 162 (2025)

Communications

Spain has a modern communications infrastructure, with a high percentage of Internet penetration and mobile subscriptions.

Internet Users: 95% of the population (2023 est.)
Total Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 61.2 million (2023)
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 18.431 million (2023)
Broadband Subscriptions: 18.2 million (2023)
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.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	101.12 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	7.16 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	83 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	99.7% (2021 est.)
Urbanization Rate	81.6% (2023)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)