Southern Europe

Population of Barcelona (Spain)

08/04/2025
Population Information

Population of Barcelona (City of Spanish) is about 5,75 million people in 2025. It is the 70th most populous city in the world.

Total population

The total population of the Barcelona metropolitan area in 2025 is estimated at 5,75 million, according to World Population Review and trends from UN World Urbanization Prospects (2024 Revision).

In 2024, Barcelona's population is estimated to be 5,73 million (World Population Review), up from 5,71 million in 2023. The metropolitan area covers an area of ​​approximately 636 km² (according to Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona – AMB), with population density about 9.000 people/km².

From 2020 (5,65 million) to 2025, the population will increase by about 100.000 people, with an average growth rate of 0,3-0,4% per year, mainly due to international migration (especially from Italy, Pakistan, China). However, the growth rate has slowed sharply compared to the period 1950-1990 due to the low birth rate (estimated at 1,2-1,3 children/woman in 2023) and the trend of migration to suburban areas such as Terrassa, Sabadell.

Gender structure

Specific data for Barcelona in 2025 has not been released, but based on figures from the Ajuntament de Barcelona and INE in 2023:

  • Male: 48,0% (about 2,75 million people out of a total of 5,73 million in 2024).
  • Female: 52,0% (about 2,98 million people).

The sex ratio is 92 males/100 females, lower than the national average (95 males/100 females), due to women having a longer life expectancy (86,7 years compared to 80,7 years for men, according to Barcelona City Council 2020). Assuming this ratio remains stable until 2025, with a total population of 5,75 million, males will account for approximately 2,76 million and females 2,99 million. This difference is particularly pronounced in the over-65 age group, reflecting the aging trend in a large urban area like Barcelona.

Population of Barcelona (Spain)
Barcelona (Spain)

Age structure

The age structure of the city of Barcelona in 2023, according to the Ajuntament de Barcelona (Municipal Register 2023), is:

  • Under 15 years old: 13,8% (about 235.000 out of 1,7 million cities).
  • 15-64 years old: 64,0% (about 1,09 million).
  • Over 65 years old: 22,2% (about 378.000).

In the Barcelona metropolitan area, the age structure is similar but may be slightly younger due to young immigration from abroad. Estimated 2025:

  • Under 15 years old: 13,5% (about 0,78 million people).
  • From 15-64 years old: 64,5% (about 3,71 million people).
  • 65 years old and above: 22,0% (about 1,26 million people).

Barcelona's median age is estimated at 44-45 years, higher than the national average (45,9 years, according to Worldometer 2025), reflecting a serious level of ageing. The proportion of people over 65 years old is increasing due to high life expectancy, while the under-15 group is decreasing due to the lowest fertility rate in Europe (1,12 children per woman in the country, according to INE 2023).

Population change

Historical data from UN Data and World Population Review:

  • 1950: 1,81 million people.
  • 1980: 4,52 million people.
  • 2000: 4,84 million people.
  • 2010: 5,49 million people.
  • 2020: 5,65 million people.
  • 2025: 5,75 million people (estimated).

From 1950 to 1990, Barcelona's population grew rapidly (an average of 3-4% per year from 1950 to 1980), due to internal migration from Andalusia, Galicia, and industrialization. From 2000 to 2020, the growth rate decreased to 0,5-1%, and from 2020 to 2025 to 0,3-0,4%, due to:

  • Low birth rate (1,2-1,3 children/woman).
  • Positive net migration due to international immigration (258.547 nationals in 2022, partly to Barcelona).
  • Migration to the suburbs and satellite cities such as Mataró, Granollers, reduces pressure on the central urban area.

Forecast

Barcelona population forecast based on national and regional trends:

  • Short term (until 2035): The population could reach 5,8-5,9 million, with a growth rate of 0,2-0,4% per year, thanks to international immigration (17% of Barcelona's population will be foreigners in 2023) and its role as an economic and tourist centre (5,5 million international visitors in 2011). However, growth is limited by the low birth rate and sustainable urbanisation policies (car-free zones).
  • Long term (until 2050): The population could stabilize or decline below 5,7 million, due to falling fertility (expected to be below 1,2 children per woman), an aging population (25-30% over 65), and slightly negative net migration. This is consistent with the forecast of Spain's population peaking at 49,5 million in 2030 and then declining.

Barcelona's government is pushing projects like the Orbital Railway Line and green space planning to manage the population, but the challenges of aging, high housing costs (a 16,6% decline in inner-city population from 1980-2000), and climate change remain severe.

Sources:

Spain Population 2024

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