Country explorer: Spain

Spain has experienced a transformative economic trajectory, marked by significant challenges such as a high unemployment rate that has consistently outpaced its European peers, substantial fluctuations in inflation reflecting economic instability, yet a gradual improvement in GDP per capita suggesting resilience and partial recovery from these adversities.

Spain has experienced significant demographic changes, marked by a substantial increase in its population, a fluctuating but overall high level of net migration, a below-replacement fertility rate that is among the lowest in high-income countries, and a life expectancy that ranks among the highest globally, reflecting broader trends seen in Southern Europe.

Spain has consistently matched the performance of its high-income European peers in ensuring universal access to essential services such as clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed drinking water and sanitation, reflecting the country's commitment to meeting basic human needs.

Spain has demonstrated sustained improvements in human development indicators, including increases in the Human Development Index, reductions in child mortality rates, and enhancements in literacy and education quality, aligning its progress with that of other high-income countries.

Spain has seen a significant focus on environmental sustainability, evidenced by a gradual reduction in per capita CO₂ emissions, a substantial increase in electricity production from renewable sources (especially wind and solar), a slight decrease in renewable freshwater resources per capita, and a consistent expansion of forest area, mirroring a broader global shift towards environmental awareness and renewable energy adoption.

Spain has experienced significant growth in internet usage and mobile subscriptions, aligning with trends in high-income countries, although its Research & Development spending and scientific publication rates show room for improvement when compared to leading European peers.

Spain has experienced notable societal shifts, including a significant increase in the multicultural makeup of its population, improvements in gender equality, a consistently high self-reported life satisfaction compared to some of its European peers, and changes in its age dependency ratio reflecting broader demographic trends that are common across high-income countries.

Spain has demonstrated improvements in governance through steady progress in rule of law, decreasing perception of corruption, greater political civil liberties, and enhanced press freedom, aligning its trajectory with that of other high-income countries in advancing towards more transparent and accountable governance.