spain
statistical
profile no.19
spain
statistical
profile no.19
january 2010
january 2010
spain
Statistical Profile
Marc Grau i Grau
France
Portugal
The crowns of the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were united by the marriage of
Isabella I and Ferdinand II in 1469. This unification settled the basis for the Spanish Empire
and modern Spain. In the 16th century and first half of the 17th century, Spain became the
strongest kingdom in Europe and the leading world power.
Spain
Morocco
introduction to spain
Algeria
About this Statistical Profile
Organizations striving to be
employers-of-choice in different
countries around the world need
access to current information about
the economic, social, political, and
demographic characteristics of the
countries where their employees live
and work.
The Country Profile Series focuses
on statistics that can guide decisionmaking at the workplace: workforce
highlights, economic highlights, and
population highlights. This Country
Profile is part of a set of resources
about Spain available on the website
of the Global Perspectives Institute:
www.bc.edu/agingandwork.
In the 20th century, Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a
devastating civil war from 1936 to 1939.1 After the civil war, Spain is marked by the 36-year
dictatorship of General Francisco Franco until the death of the dictator in 1975. Nowadays,
Spain is a democratic constitutional monarchy with a National Parliament, formed by the
Congress of Deputies and the Senate, that is elected every 4 years.
Spain has an area of 505,955 km2, with the mainland located on the Iberian Peninsula,
delimited to the west by Portugal and to the north by Andorra and France. The rest of the
territory is two groups of islands, the Canary Islands located in the Atlantic Ocean and
the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, Spanish dominion includes two
autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - bordering Morocco in Northern Africa.2
Due to the baby boom in the 1960s, Spain’s population increased from 18,616,630
inhabitants in 1900 to 39,433,942 in 1991.3 In 2009, the population of Spain officially
reached 46 million people.4 Spanish is the official language nationwide, however, three other
languages are co-official: Basque, Catalan and Galician.
Spain is the world’s ninth largest economy with nominal GDP at US $1.395 trillion,
corresponding to US $30,588 per capita.5 The President of the European Central Bank, Mr.
Jean-Claude Trichet, affirms that Spain’s performance in reducing unemployment from 1997
to 2008 has been remarkable.6 However, Spain has finished the year 2009 with one of the
highest unemployment rates in Europe (18.9%).7
Sponsored by:
agework@bc.edu
1
labor force highlights
àà 59.8% of the total Spanish population is in the labor force, which includes persons
age 16 and above.8
àà The economically active population in Spain is projected to increase from 21.9 million
in 2007 to 22.7 million by 2020. The “economically active population” comprises all
persons of either sex who furnish the supply of labor for the production of goods and
services during a specified time reference period.8
àà The unemployed rate went from 13.9% in November 2008 to 19.3% in September
2009. Spain and Latvia have the highest unemployment rate among the European
Union.9
àà In 2008, the number of average hours worked by Spanish employees was 34.7 hours
per week in comparison to 37.6 hours in France and 40.1 hours in Greece.8
àà In 2008, 12.5% of the total labor force was working part-time.10
àà 15.8% of the total civilian employed labor force reported being self-employed in
2008.10
Figure 1a. Employed as Percent of Total Population
- Selected Regional Countries (Age 15+), 2008
56.6
France
49.3
Italy
62.5
Portugal
59.8
Spain
0.0%
59.8% of the Spanish population is
employed, compared to 49.3% in
Italy and 53.5% in Greece.
53.5
Greece
10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%
Source: ILO8
Figure 1b. Employed as Percent of Total Population
- Selected GNI Countries (Age 15+), 2008
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
0.0%
67.8
56.6
58.8
49.3
60.2
62.6
59.8
62.5
66.0
10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0%
Source: ILO8
2
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
59.8% of the Spanish population is
employed, compared to 67.8% in
Canada or 66.0% in United States.
spain
statistical
profile no.19
january 2010
Spain has one of the lowest rates
of employment for women (54.9%)
in the 15-64 age group. The male
employment rate was instead 73.5%,
slightly higher than France and Italy.
Figure 2. Employment Rate, Ages 15-64, by Gender, Spain and Comparable Countries
72.8
European Union
Male
59.1
(27 countries)
Female
74.2
European Union
w(15 countries)
60.4
France
60.4
69.6
75.9
Germany
65.4
70.3
Italy
47.2
Japan
81.6
59.7
73.5
Spain
54.9
77.3
United Kingdom
65.8
76.4
United States
65.5
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Source:Eurostat9
Figure 3. Employment Rates in Spain, within age group, 2007
79.2
80.0%
Figure 3 shows the employment
rates for each group in Spain in
2007. The two prevalent age groups
of the employment populations are
25-34 (79.2%) and 35-44 (78.2%)
years of age.
78.2
72.1
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
44.6
39.1
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
2
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Source: : INE (National Institute of Statistics)10
Figure 4. Employment Rates in Spain Compared to Selected Regional Countries,
within age group, 2007
100.0%
The distribution of the employment
rate within age groups follow
similar patterns in all the countries
considered. France and Portugal are
the nations characterized by highest
employment rates while Italy’s
employment rates are the lowest.
France
Italy
80.0%
Greece
Spain
60.0%
Portugal
40.0%
20.0%
0.0%
15-14
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Source: : INE (National Institute of Statistics)10
agework@bc.edu
3
Figure 5a. Current & Projected Economically Active Population Estimates and Projections in Spain, within age group, 2008 and 2020
100.0%
85.2 85.9
86.1 87.8
87.4
83.8 85.8
83.0
80.0%
2008
2020
85.2
72.7
70.7
The economically active population
in Spain is expected to increase in
correspondence of all the age groups
considered.
81.8
80.1
72.3
66.9
59.2
60.0%
36.7 38.5
40.0%
27.1 27.8
20.0%
0.0%
1.9 2.2
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65+
Source:ILO8
Figure 5b. Current & projected % of Total Population Economically Active in Spain,
by gender, 2008 and 2020
2008 Male
42.7
23.4
15-19
1.9
2020 Male
20-44
26.3
30.6
45+
1.8
31.9
2008 Female
14.5
1.2
2020 Female
27.0
22.4
1.3
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0%
Source:ILO8
4
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
Both the male and female
economically active population is
expected to increase for individuals
older than 45, and decrease among
those aged in the age group of 20-44.
spain
statistical
profile no.19
january 2010
economic highlights
àà Gross Domestic Product per capita in Spain was $30,589 in 2008. This compares to
$34,205 in France, $30,631 in Italy, and in $47,440 in the United States in the same
year.5
àà The gross domestic product of Spain grew at an average of 3.3% during the period
of 2000-2008. Growth rate peaked in 2000 at 5.0% and was 0.9% in 2008.9
Figure 6. GDP Growth, Spain and comparable countries, 2000-2008
5%
4%
GDP growth in Spain has been the
highest from 2000 to 2008 among
countries considered.
3%
2%
1%
0%
-1%
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
France
Spain
Germany
United Kingdom
United States
Portugal
Italy
European Union (27 countries)
Japan
Source: Eurostat9
Figure 7. Total Public Debt as Percentage of GDP, selected regional countries, 2008
66.0
Germany
Spain’s public debt was the lowest in
2008 among countries considered.
Italy’s public debt was the highest.
61.1
France
40.7
Spain
105.8
Italy
66.4
Portugal
97.4
Greece
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0% 100.0% 120.0%
Source: CIA1
agework@bc.edu
5
demographic highlights
àà In 2009, the Spanish population was 46,661,9502, compared to 58,126,212 for Italy
and 64,057,792 for France.1
àà According to The World Factbook, total fertility rate for Spanish women is 1.3
children per woman, the same rate that Italy. In the other hand, fertility rate for
France is 1.98.1 Total Fertility rate indicates the number of children to be born to a
woman during her reproductive span of her life.
àà In Spain the ratio of the population aged 65 and over to the total population is 18.1
in 2009 (est.). This ratio is 20.2 in Italy, 20.3 in Germany and 16.4 in France.1
Figure 8. Median Age, by Gender, Regional Comparisions, 2008
42.5
44.8
Female
40.9
Italy
42.6
France
The median age for the Spanish
population in 2008 was 39.7 years
for men and 42.5 years for women.
Germany
39.7
41.8
Male
Spain
38.0
45.2
41.1
43.3
Total
39.4
43.8
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
Source: CIA1
Figure 9. Life Expectancy at Birth [Regional Comparisions, 2008] [developed nations
comparable by GDP, developing nations comparable by region]
83.6
83.3
Female
84.3
82.4
France
Italy
76.7
77.3
Male
Spain
Germany
77.8
76.3
80.1
80.2
Total
81.0
79.3
70
74
78
82
86
90
Source: CIA1
6
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
The life expectancy at birth for the
Spanish population in 2008 was
76 years for men and 83 years for
women.
spain
statistical
profile no.19
àà In Spain, the distribution of the population is characterized by a high concentration of
individuals between the ages of 30-49, for both males and females. Similar population
distributions are observed for Italy and France (see Figures 10a-10d-10g).11
january 2010
àà Over time, the Spanish population distribution is expected to constantly increase
in the 75+ age group.
Figure 10a. Population Distribution of Spain, 2009
Male
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
The distribution of the Spanish
population in 2009 is characterized
by a high concentration of the
population in the 30-49 age group,
for both males and females.
5
4
3
2
1
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau11
Figure 10b. Population Distribution of Spain, 2025
Male
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
5
4
3
2
1
0
0
1
2
3
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
11
agework@bc.edu
7
Figure 10c. Population Distribution of Spain, 2050
Male
10
8
54
463
3
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
2
1
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau11
Figure 10d. Population Distribution of Italy, 2009
Male
10
58
46
3
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
2
1
0
The distribution of the Italian
population in 2009 is similar to the
Spanish population, characterized
by a high concentration of the
population in the age group 30-49,
for both males and females.
0
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
% of Population
Source: US Census Bureau11
Figure 10e. Population Distribution of France, 2009
Male
10
58
46
3
Source: US Census Bureau11
8
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
2
1
0
0
1
2
3
% of Population
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
spain
statistical
profile no.19
january 2010
references
1 Central Intelligence Agency. (2009). The world factbook 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from https://
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sp.html
2 Spain.info. (2010). Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://www.spain.info/sobre_espanha/geografia/situacion_geografrica.html?l=es
3 INE (National Institute of Statistics). (2010). De facto pupulation figures from 1900 until 1991. Retrieved
March 5, 2010 from http://www.ine.es/jaxiBD/tabla.do?per=12&type=db&divi=DPOH&idtab=2
4 INE (National Institute of Statistics). (2009). Nota de Prensa, 3 de junio 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009,
from http://www.ine.es/prensa/np551.pdf.
5 International Monetary Fund. (2009). World economic outlook database. Retrieved November 16, 2009, from
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/index.aspx.
6 European Central Bank. (2010). Speech by Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the ECB. Madrid, February 15,
2008, from http://www.ecb.int/press/key/date/2008/html/sp080215.en.html
7 Eurostat. (2010). Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/search_database
8 International Labor Organisation. (2009). LABORSTA Internet. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://
laborsta.ilo.org/
9 Eurostat. (2008). Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/
statistics/search_database
10 INE (National Institute of Statistics in Spain). (2007). Encuesta de Población Activa. Retrieved November 2,
2009, from http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=%2Ft22/e308_mnu&file=inebase&L=0
11 U.S. Censu Bureau. (2008). International Database. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://www.census.
gov/ipc/www/idb
agework@bc.edu
9
about the institute
Established in 2007 by the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, the Global
Perspectives Institute is an international collaboration of scholars and employers
committed to the expansion of the quality of employment available to the 21st century
multi-generational workforce in countries around the world.
The Global Perspectives Institute focuses on innovative and promising practices that might
be adopted by employers and policy-makers.
The Institute’s research, publications, and international forums contribute to:
àà
a deeper understanding of the employment experiences and career aspirations of
employees of different ages who work in countries around the world;
àà
informed decision making by employers who want to be employers-of-choice in
different countries; and
àà
innovative thinking about private-public partnerships that promote sustainable, highquality employment.
The Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College promotes quality of employment as
an imperative for the 21st century multi-generational workforce. We integrate evidence from
research with insights from workplace experiences to inform innovative organizational
decision making. Collaborating with business leaders and scholars in a multi-disciplinary
dialogue, the Center develops the next generation of knowledge and talent management.
The Sloan Center on Aging & Work is grateful for the continued support of the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation.
Marc Grau i Grau, is a doctoral candidate in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh. Marc has
obtained a MBA from ESADE Business School and a MA in Political and Social Sciences from University
Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. Currently, Marc serves as a Research Assistant at the International
Center of Work and Family in IESE Business School. Marc is involved in IFREI project and different
projects that focus on Work Family Balance, and has worked as a Western European Travel Manager in
Henkel Group.
10
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
Country Context Team Leaders
Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Director, Sloan
Center on Aging and Work
Tay K. McNamara, Director of Research,
Sloan Center on Aging and Work
Jungui Lee, Postdoctoral researcher,
Sloan Center on Aging and Work
spain
statistical
profile no.19
january 2010
For additional Sloan Center publications, visit our website at www.bc.edu/agingandwork
Global Statistical Profile 01 - Japan
Global Statistical Profile 02 - United States
Global Statistical Profile 03 - Pakistan
Global Statistical Profile 04 - South Korea
Global Statistical Profile 05 - China
Global Statistical Profile 06 - Greece
Global Statistical Profile 07 - Armenia
Global Statistical Profile 08 - Italy
Global Statistical Profile 09 - Singapore
agework@bc.edu
Global Statistical Profile 10 - Denmark
Global Statistical Profile 11 - South Africa
Global Statistical Profile 12 - India
Global Statistical Profile 13 - Kenya
Global Statistical Profile 14 - Australia
Global Statistical Profile 15 - Germany
Global Statistical Profile 16 - France
Global Statistical Profile 17 - Sweden
Global Statistical Profile 18 - United Kingdom
11