Population Estimates. S2/2021–S1/2023. Definitive data
The resident population in Catalonia increased by 140,140 inhabitants in 2022, according to the final results of the Population Estimates. Migration with foreign countries was the main item in terms of population growth in 2022 (158,546 people). In contrast, natural growth was −14,324 people (56,382 births minus 70,706 deaths) and the balance of migration with the rest of Spain was −5,865 people.
The resident population in Catalonia was 7,901,963 people on 1 January 2023, although Idescat announced that Catalonia had reached 8 million inhabitants in November 2023 based on an advance provisional figure. Idescat is publishing population estimates for the first time today for all of Catalonia’s municipalities.
In 2022, the population grew in 672 municipalities, fell in 256 and stayed the same in 19. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the greatest relative growth were Castell d’Aro, Platja d’Aro i s’Agaró (7.31‰) and Lloret de Mar (6.64‰), while Badia del Vallès (−0.73‰) and Sant Andreu de la Barca (−0.31‰) lost the most population.
The balance of migration with foreign countries was positive in 786 municipalities, negative in 90 and nil in 71 municipalities. Of the municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over, Barcelona (55,386) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (10,784) recorded the highest balances of migration with foreign countries, while Badia del Vallès (41) and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (55) had the lowest.
The internal balance of migration (migration with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 557 municipalities, negative in 368 and nil in 22 municipalities. Calafell (564) and Sant Just Desvern (448) were the municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the highest internal balances of migration, while Barcelona (−9,528) and Badalona (−1,639) had the lowest.
Natural growth (births minus deaths) was positive in 178 municipalities, negative in 681 and nil in 88 municipalities. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the highest natural growth were Sant Cugat del Vallès (259) and Salt (161), while those with the lowest were Barcelona (−4,747) and Sabadell (−292).
In 2022, the population increased in 40 counties and Aran and only decreased in Les Garrigues (−0.49‰). La Selva (3.14‰) and El Baix Penedès (3.02‰) were the counties with the highest growth in relative terms.
The balance of migration with foreign countries was positive in all counties and Aran. The county of El Barcelonès stood out from the rest with a balance of 73,408 people, followed by El Vallès Occidental (11,494).
The internal balance of migration (migration with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 28 counties and Aran. The counties that recorded a negative internal balance of migration included El Barcelonès (−13,474).
Natural growth (births minus deaths) was only positive in one county, El Gironès (189). By contrast, natural growth was negative in 40 counties and Aran, especially in El Barcelonès (−5,266) and El Maresme (−1,111).
As for the age structure, the percentage of the population aged 0 to 15 continued to fall as a result of the low birth rate, down from 15.6% in 2022 to 15.2% in 2023. The weight of the population aged 16 to 64 increased from 65.1% to 65.4% as a result of migration. The weight of the population aged 65 and over increased from 19.3% to 19.4% as a result of ageing with significant differences across the territory.
The centenarian population on 1 January 2023 was 2,514 people, of whom 415 were men and 2,099 women. By age, there were 1,048 people aged 100, 647 aged 101, 375 aged 102, 206 aged 103, 114 aged 104 and 124 aged 105 and over.