Population Estimates. S2/2024–S1/2025. Definitive data
The resident population in Catalonia increased by 111,895 inhabitants in 2024, according to the final results of the Population Estimates. International migration was the main component in terms of population growth in 2024 (129,030 people). In contrast, natural growth was −13,722 people (53,802 births minus 67,524 deaths) and the net migration with the rest of Spain was −6,437 people.
The resident population in Catalonia stood at 8,124,126 people as of 1 January 2025, although Idescat announced that Catalonia had reached 8,154,627 inhabitants in July 2025 based on an advance provisional figure. The estimates released today reveal the components of population growth in 2024 (births, deaths and migration) in Catalonia, provinces, areas of the Territorial plan, counties and municipalities.
In 2024, the population grew in 616 municipalities, fell in 301 and stayed the same in 30. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the greatest relative growth were Cunit (34.6‰) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (34.3‰), while Sant Cugat del Vallès (−7.0‰) lost the most population.
The international net migration was positive in 710 municipalities, negative in 156 and nil in 81 municipalities. As for the municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over, those with the highest international net migration were Barcelona (46,974) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (11,669), while Santa Maria de Palautordera (−16) was the only one with a negative international net migration countries.
The internal net migration (migrations with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 547 municipalities, negative in 372 and nil in 28 municipalities. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the highest net internal migration were Terrassa (1,358) and Vilanova i la Geltrú (602), while those with the lowest internal net migration were Barcelona (−17,020) and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (−1,881).
Natural growth (births minus deaths) was positive in 150 municipalities, negative in 696 and nil in 101 municipalities. The municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants and over with the highest natural growth were Girona (198) and Salt (169), while those with the lowest were Barcelona (−3,951) and Sabadell (−280).
In 2024, the population increased in 38 counties and Aran, decreased in 3 counties and remained stable in one county. The counties with the greatest growth in relative terms were El Baix Ebre (20.2‰), El Baix Penedès (19.8‰) and L'Urgell (19.6‰). On the other hand, La Terra Alta (−5.4‰), El Priorat (−0.5‰) and La Cerdanya (−0.2‰) lost population.
The international net migration was positive in all counties and Aran. El Barcelonès was the country with the largest balance (66,181 people), followed by El Vallès Occidental (9,607).
The internal net migration (migrations with the rest of Catalonia and the rest of Spain) was positive in 30 counties, led by El Maresme (1,913) and El Vallès Oriental (1,427). Among the counties that registered a negative internal net migration, El Barcelonès stood out (−19,372).
Natural growth (births minus deaths) was only positive in one county, El Gironès (330). By contrast, natural growth was negative in 41 counties and Aran, with the largest negative figures in El Barcelonès (−4,130) and El Baix Llobregat (−1,370).
As for the age structure, the percentage of the population aged 0 to 15 continued to fall as a result of the low birth rate, down from 14.9% in 2024 to 14.4% in 2025. The share of the population aged 16 to 64 increased from 65.6% to 65.9% as a result of migration. The share of the population aged 65 and over increased from 19.5% to 19.7% as a result of ageing with significant differences across the territory.
The centenarian population as of 1 January 2025 was 2,867 people, of whom 450 were men and 2,417 women. By age, there were 1,174 people aged 100, 730 aged 101, 443 aged 102, 240 aged 103, 137 aged 104 and 143 aged 105 and over.
With this publication, Idescat extends the data on the components of demographic growth for the years 2012 to 2020. For these years, data are provided for Catalonia, the provinces, the areas of the Territorial plan, the counties and municipalities with 50,000 inhabitants and over.