In 2023, 1.7 million people in Spain moved to a new residence, according to the Statistics on Migrations and Changes of Residence (EMCR). This figure is slightly lower than in 2022, showing a 0.3% decrease.
Among these moves, 685,695 were to another province, while 533,398 involved relocating to a different autonomous community or autonomous city.
Movement within municipalities
Most relocations in 2023 (96.8%) occurred within the same municipality. Only 1.9% of moves were to a different municipality within the same province. A mere 0.3% involved a change of province within the same community, and 0.9% involved moving to a different autonomous community.
Cities gaining residents from internal migration
Dos Hermanas (Seville), Getafe (Madrid), and Sabadell (Barcelona) recorded the highest net migration gains from internal relocations. These cities saw increases of 1,067, 968, and 955 residents respectively, all attributed to moves from other Spanish municipalities.
Other municipalities with notable internal migration gains include Villalbilla (Madrid), Zaragoza, Valladolid, Valdemoro (Madrid), Colmenar Viejo (Madrid), Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona), Oviedo (Asturias), Tres Cantos (Madrid), Arrecife (Las Palmas), Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), and León.
Exceptions among larger cities
Most large cities experienced positive migration balances, with a few exceptions such as El Ejido, Lorca, Cádiz, and San Fernando. Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia showed the highest overall migration gains, mainly due to significant net inflows from abroad. In fact, all autonomous communities reported positive migration balances from international arrivals in 2023. The Comunidad de Madrid led with 150,469 net international arrivals, followed by Catalonia (126,804) and the Comunitat Valenciana (102,302).
Cities losing residents to other municipalities
In contrast, several municipalities reported negative internal migration balances. Notable examples include:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona)
- Seville
- Málaga
- Alicante
- Palma (Balearic Islands)
- Marbella (Málaga)
- Donostia/San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa)
These cities experienced more residents moving out to other municipalities than arriving. However, their overall population growth remained positive due to high numbers of international migrants.
The role of migration in Spain’s economy and demographics
Migration, both internal and international, is vital for Spain’s economic stability and population growth. The country faces a declining birth rate and an aging population, with deaths outnumbering births in recent years. Migrants play a crucial role in offsetting these demographic challenges by contributing to the labour force, supporting social security systems, and boosting economic activity in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services.
International migrants are particularly important in revitalising regions with declining populations and addressing labour shortages. Additionally, they contribute to cultural diversity and innovation, enhancing Spain’s competitiveness on a global scale.
Autonomous communities with notable balances
Positive balances
Communities with the highest inter-community migration balances include:
- Comunitat Valenciana: 10,827
- Principado de Asturias: 2,814
- Castilla-La Mancha: 2,689
Negative balances
Conversely, some regions recorded negative internal balances:
- Comunidad de Madrid: -16,390
- Catalonia: -5,171
- Andalucia: -2,570
Minimal international migration
La Rioja (2,780), Cantabria (5,009), and Extremadura (5,735) reported the lowest net migration gains from international arrivals.
Summary of trends
Spain’s internal migration landscape in 2023 highlights significant movement within municipalities and a smaller share of inter-community relocations. While some cities and regions benefited from internal migration, others relied on international arrivals to sustain population growth. This dynamic continues to shape urban and regional demographics across the country.