In the first seven months of 2024, a total of 184,050 children were born in Spain. This is 656 more (0.36% more) than in the same period of 2023, but still 40,947 fewer than in the same months of 2017, seven years ago.
Compared to 2017, there is a decrease of 18.2%, according to the monthly estimate of births by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE).
Downward trend in the number of babies for years
Between January and July 2024, 184,050 babies were born and despite the slight increase compared to 2023 (183,394 births in the same months), the figures have shown a downward trend in recent years. For example, 188,313 births were counted in 2022; 190,350 in 2021; 200,799 in 2020; 206,928 in 2019; 213,887 in 2018 and 224,997 in 2017.
And while Spain is still struggling with low birth rates, it could end this year with positive baby news: a slight uptick in the birth rate. And in 2023, the number of births reached another low point. At that time, the total number of births was the lowest in the historical series.
Was July a turning point for the birth rate?
In the month of July, 28,045 children were born in Spain. That is 8.5% more than in June, when 25,847 babies were born. The figure for July is also higher than the same month of the previous year (2023), with 27,594 births (+1.63%).
Record number of mothers over 50 years old
As has been customary in recent years, the age group with the highest number of births is from 30-34 year. In July, 9,348 babies were born within this age group. This is followed by women aged 35 to 39 (8,122 babies). This is almost double the number of women aged 25 to 29. They gave birth to 4,873 babies.
In July 2024, a total of 43 babies were born in Spain to mothers over 50 years old. The record was in March of this year (with 34 babies). The previous record was in July 2023, when 32 babies were born to mothers aged 50 and over.
Also read: Expansion of paternity leave in Spain reduces birth rate