The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) has published preliminary data for 2025, indicating a breakthrough in the decade-long declining trend. Last year, 321,164 children were born in Spain, representing an increase of nearly one percent year-on-year. Despite the positive signal, experts point to a negative natural increase and the ongoing postponement of motherhood decisions among Spanish women.

Breaking the downward trend

For the first time in ten years, the number of births in Spain increased, reaching 321,164 infants in 2025.

Negative demographic balance

Despite a higher number of births, the number of deaths increased by 2.5%, resulting in a population deficit exceeding 122 thousand people.

Historic low in the background

The increase occurred directly after the record-low year of 2024, when the fewest births were recorded since 1941.

Data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) brings an unexpected breakthrough in Spanish demography. In 2025, 321,164 births were registered, an increase of 3,159 people (0.99%) compared to the previous year. This is the first such occurrence since 2014, ending a series of continuous declines in the number of births. Since 2015, this number has decreased by almost 100,000, reaching a historic low in 2024 since measurements began in 1941. Although the recorded increase of around 1% is modest, commentators see it as a significant turning point for a country grappling with a deep demographic crisis. Since 2012, Spain has recorded one of the lowest fertility rates in the European Union, resulting from a combination of economic factors, lack of job market stability for young people, and high cost of living.The demographic situation remains difficult due to the growing number of deaths, which in 2025 amounted to 446,982 people (an increase of 2.5%). Consequently, the country's demographic balance, i.e., the natural increase, closed with a deficit of 122,167 people. Statistics also confirm the continuing trend of postponing motherhood; the average age of women deciding to have a child is systematically rising. Experts note that the current data are preliminary and based on civil registry records, but they clearly mark a new direction in population studies of the Iberian Peninsula. Number of births in Spain: 2015: 420290, 2024: 318005, 2025: 3211640.99% — was the annual increase in births