Spain Recorded 320,656 Births in 2023, 24% Less Than a Decade Ago

Spain recorded a total of 320,656 births in 2023, a 2.6% decrease from the previous year (8,595 fewer) and a 24.7% decrease from a decade ago (when there were 425,715), according to the 'Natural Population Movement (Marriages, Births, and Deaths)' data published this Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

The number of births continues the downward trend of the last decade, only interrupted in 2014, reaching a new historic low since the series began in 1941, according to the INE.

Of the 320,656 births that took place in Spain, 78,330 were to mothers with foreign nationality, accounting for 24.4% of the total (compared to 23% in 2022).

Considering the country of birth, there were 100,438 births to mothers born abroad, representing 31.3% of the total (compared to 29.5% in 2022).

Regarding the average number of children per woman, the fertility rate stood at 1.12 in 2023, four hundredths less than in 2022.

By nationality, the average number of children per woman decreased in both cases: by three hundredths among Spanish mothers (to 1.09) and by seven hundredths among foreign mothers (to 1.28).

Moreover, the average age of motherhood remained at 32.6 years in 2023. In recent years, according to the INE, the decrease in the number of births has been accompanied by a delay in the age of motherhood.

By nationality, the average age of motherhood did not change, remaining at 33.1 years for Spanish mothers and 30.5 years for foreign mothers.

Another indicator reflecting the delay in motherhood is the number of births to mothers aged 40 or older, which has increased by 19.1% over the last 10 years. In relative terms, while in 2013, 6.8% of births were to mothers aged 40 or older, in 2023, this percentage rose to 10.8%.

The percentage of births to unmarried mothers rose to 49.9% in 2023 compared to 50.1% in 2022. In previous years, it was 49.2% in 2021; 47.6% in 2020; 48.3% in 2019; 47.2% in 2018; 46.7% in 2017; 45.8% in 2016 and 44.4% in 2015.

On the other hand, INE data shows that during 2023, 436,124 people died in Spain, 6.1% less than the previous year. By age, there was a decrease in deaths among people aged 85 to 89 (11% compared to 2022), and in both men (12.1%) and women (10.1%).

Meanwhile, the infant mortality rate increased by three hundredths, reaching 2.63 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Furthermore, life expectancy at birth increased by nearly seven tenths in 2023, reaching 83.77 years. By gender, men's life expectancy rose by 0.75 years to 81.11, and women's life expectancy rose by 0.60 years to 86.34, surpassing this figure for the first time.

According to current mortality conditions, a person who reached 65 years in 2023 would expect to live, on average, 19.65 more years if male and 23.49 more years if female. In 2023, for the first time in the INE's historical series, people aged 65 and over represent more than 20% of the total population (20.2% in 2023; 17.7% in 2013; 17.0% in 2003; 14.4% in 1993 and 11.5% in 1983).

Likewise, the average age of the Spanish population rose to 44.2 years in 2023 compared to 41.8 years in 2013, while it was 40.1 years in 2003; 37.4 years in 1993 and 34.4 years in 1983.

Additionally, Spain had a natural population decrease of -113,590 people in 2023. This difference between births and deaths is the third most negative since records began (1941) after those of 2020 and 2022.

On another note, INE statistics show that during 2023, 172,430 marriages were registered in Spain, a 3.7% decrease from 2022. The crude marriage rate fell by 0.2 points, reaching 3.5 marriages per 1,000 inhabitants.

Moreover, 82.3% of marriages celebrated in Spain during 2023 were civil, and 17.8% were religious. Thus, civil marriages decreased by 1.8% compared to 2022, and religious marriages by 11.9%.

In the case of religious marriages, the figure stood at 30,606 during 2023, below the 34,747 of 2022 and above the 24,957 of 2021. In 2020, there were 9,664, while 35,299 were registered in 2019; 40,330 in 2018; 44,377 in 2017; 48,826 in 2016 and 50,031 in 2015.

3.9% of all marriages registered in 2023 were same-sex couples (6,772 marriages). Of these, 53.3% were women and 46.7% were men.

Meanwhile, the average age at marriage increased by three tenths in 2023, with this increase being two tenths for men and three tenths for women. It stood at 39.6 years for men and 36.9 years for women.