New figures from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics are highlighting a major shift in the country’s population. According to the latest data, about 20 percent of people living in Spain were born in another country. That amounts to roughly 10 million foreign-born residents, or one in every five people.
The increase hasn’t happened overnight, but the pace has picked up in recent years. While Spain has seen steady growth in its foreign-born population since the early 2000s, the numbers have surged more sharply over the past three years alone, with an increase of around two million people. The trend reflects broader migration patterns as Spain continues to attract workers and families from abroad.
The data also shows where many of these residents are coming from. About half of the foreign-born population originates from countries in the Americas. Europe accounts for roughly 27 percent, followed by Africa at 17 percent and Asia at six percent.
Socialist Spain to Grant Amnesty to Half Million Illegal Migrantshttps://t.co/UKwknSdlJo
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 28, 2026
On a country-by-country basis, Morocco ranks first, with around 1.1 million Moroccan nationals living in Spain. That figure has roughly doubled over the past two decades. Colombia comes next with close to one million residents, followed by Venezuela with about 700,000.
Not all groups have grown at the same rate. Romania, for example, once had one of the largest populations in Spain, but its numbers have declined over time, dropping from around 750,000 in 2012 to about 500,000 today. The statistics also show that a significant portion of foreign-born residents are of working age, with about 26 percent of Spain’s total population made up of foreign-born individuals between 20 and 64 years old.
These demographic changes are unfolding at the same time as a heated political debate over immigration policy.
The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is moving forward with plans to grant legal status to a large number of migrants currently living in Spain without documentation. The proposal could affect around 500,000 people, though officials expect as many as 750,000 applications could be submitted.
Nearly Seven in Ten Spaniards Oppose Socialist Government’s Illegal Migrant Amnesty Schemehttps://t.co/5xSAbML2vA
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 15, 2026
The plan would allow migrants to regularize their status if they meet certain conditions, such as proving they have lived in Spain for a set period, holding valid identification, and having no criminal record. Supporters argue the move could help bring more people into the formal economy and address labor shortages.
Critics, however, point to strong public opposition and concerns within Spain’s parliament. Some also warn the policy could have broader consequences across the European Union. Estimates suggest there are currently around 840,000 undocumented migrants in Spain, a number that has grown significantly in recent years and now represents a notable share of the non-EU population.
