The incredible recovery of the Spanish economy has begun to
have an effect on the immigration statistics for the country, as 2016 marked
the first time since 2009 that the population in Spain increased.
The Spanish population increased steadily at the turn of the
millennium until 2009, whether through positive birth rates or inward
immigration.
However, Europe – and in particular Spain – was hit by an
economic crash in 2008 that stemmed the tide. The population stagnated in 2010
and steadily fell each year thereafter as young people held off starting a
family due to the uncertain economy, and immigrants decided to try their luck
in other countries.
The tide turned in 2016 however. Data released by the
National Institute of Statistics (INE) revealed the number of immigrants
registering in Spain was on the increase, showing that last year saw 89,126
more people enter the country than leaving it.
The highest number of arrivals in terms of nationality were
the Venezuelans, particularly those escaping the economic hardship and the
potential persecution they faced at home. Numbers of immigrants from Romania
and Morocco also increased following the improvement of the Spanish economy.
There was also a slight increase in the number of Brits arriving in the country,
but a decrease in the number of Swiss and German immigrants.
Even though domestic fortunes are improving, the amount of
Spaniards emigrating out of the country also increased in 2016. The primary
destination for these Spanish immigrants remains the UK, where they have a high
chance of finding work and improving their English skills, which makes the
country a strong draw.
