Population Estimates. S2/2023–S1/2024. Definitive data

The resident population in Catalonia increased by 110,268 inhabitants in 2023, according to the final results of the Population Estimates. Migration with foreign countries was the main item in terms of population growth in 2023 (126,804 people). In contrast, natural growth was −13,445 people (54,217 births minus 67,662 deaths) and the balance of migration with the rest of Spain was −5,171 people.

The resident population in Catalonia was 8,012,231 people on 1 January 2024, although Idescat announced that Catalonia had reached 8,067,454 inhabitants in July 2024 based on an advance provisional figure. The estimates released today reveal the components of population growth in 2023 (births, deaths and migration) in Catalonia, provinces, areas of the territorial plan, counties and municipalities.

In 2023, the population grew in 620 municipalities, fell in 301 and stayed the same in 26. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the greatest relative growth were Mont-roig del Camp (36,1‰), Calafell (35,0‰) and Cunit (32,5‰), while Martorell (−5.6‰), L'Escala (−4,3‰) and Ripoll (−4,2‰) lost the most population.

The balance of migration with foreign countries was positive in 723 municipalities, negative in 144 and nil in 80 municipalities. Of the municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants or more, those with the highest migration balances with foreigners were Barcelona (45,402) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (9,318), while those with the lowest migration balances with foreigners were L'Escala (−76) and Sant Quirze del Vallès (−3).

The internal balance of migration (migration with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 527 municipalities, negative in 390 and nil in 30 municipalities. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over more with the highest internal migration balances are Sabadell (955) and Vilanova i la Geltrú (689), while those with the lowest internal migration balances are Barcelona (−11,553) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (−2,682).

Natural growth (births minus deaths) was positive in 185 municipalities, negative in 674 and nil in 88 municipalities. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the highest natural growth were Sant Cugat del Vallès (164) and Salt (161), while those with the lowest were Barcelona (−4085) and Sabadell (−229).

In 2023, the population increased in 38 counties and Aran and decreased in 4 counties. It should be noted that the results of El Solsonès and La Segarra are affected by the change in the county affiliation of the municipalities of Torà and Biosca, just as those of Osona are affected by the creation of El Lluçanès. El Solsonès (104.8‰), El Baix Penedès (22.6‰) and El Gironès (19.4‰) were the counties with the greatest growth in relative terms. On the other hand, La Segarra (−56.3‰), Osona (−21.5‰), La Terra Alta (−2.4‰) and El Pallars Jussà (−1.9‰) lost population. If the territorial changes of 2023 are not taken into account, La Segarra and Osona would have positive growth and El Solsonès would not be among the counties with the highest growth.

The balance of migration with foreign countries was positive in all counties and Aran. El Barcelonès is the country that presented the largest balance with (59,791 people), followed by El Vallès Occidental (10,574).

The internal balance of migration (migration with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 29 counties, led by El Maresme (1,819) and El Vallès Oriental (1,421). Among the counties that registered a negative internal balance of migration, El Barcelonès stood out (−15,780).

Natural growth (births minus deaths) was only positive in one county, El Gironès (222). By contrast, natural growth was negative in 41 counties and Aran, especially in El Barcelonès (−4,288) and El Maresme (−1,326).

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 15.2% in 2023 to 14.9% in 2024. The weight of the population aged 16 to 64 increased from 65.4% to 65.6% as a result of migration. The weight of the population aged 65 and over increased from 19.4% to 19.5% as a result of ageing with significant differences across the territory.

The centenarian population on 1 January 2024 was 2,698 people, of whom 414 were men and 2,284 women. By age, there were 1,114 people aged 100, 686 aged 101, 403 aged 102, 233 aged 103, 117 aged 104 and 145 aged 105 and over.