Migratory Movements. 2023
The net migration in Catalonia was 121,633 people in 2023, a fall of 31,048 compared to 2022. The international net migration was 126,804 people and the net migration with the rest of Spain was −5,171 people. Furthermore, 274,142 changes of residence between municipalities in Catalonia were registered.
The total net migration (entries minus exits) was positive in all the counties and in Aran, mainly due to international migrations.
Of the 274,142 changes of residence between municipalities in Catalonia, 32.0% were accounted for by foreign national population even though in 2023 foreigners made up 17.2% of the population.
By place of birth, changes by people born in Catalonia made up 52.3% of internal migrations, changes by people born abroad 40.0% and changes by people born in the rest of Spain made up 7.7%.
As for internal migrations in Catalonia, the 42.6% were within the county and 57.4% with another county. In relation to inter-county migrations, 32 counties had a positive balance, headed by El Maresme (2,354 people) and El Vallès Oriental (1,807). On the other hand, Aran and 10 counties had a negative net migrations with the rest of Catalonia led by El Barcelonès (−15,068).
By municipalities, the ones with the highest net migration of Catalonia were Sabadell (974 people) followed by Vilanova i la Geltrú (713). The lowest internal net migrations were in Barcelona (−11,505) and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (−2,385).
In relation to international migration, the net balance was positive at 126,804 people.
By country of origin, the highest net migration was recorded with Colombia at 21,478 migrations followed by Morocco (20,261), while France (−3,403) and the United Kingdom (−1,440) were the countries with the most negative net migration. By nationality, the international net migration with abroad for foreign population was 129,591 inhabitants while for Spanish national population was &mninus;2,787. About place of birth, the international net migration was negative for people born in Catalonia (−7,684) and for the ones born in the rest of Spain (−389), and it was positive for people born abroad (134,877).
By counties, the international net migration with abroad was positive throughout the territory, especially in El Barcelonès (59,791) and El Vallès Occidental (10,574).
As for the migrations with the rest of Spain, net migration was negative (−5,171 people). By nationality, the net migration was negative for Spanish national population (−6,490) and positive for foreign population (1,319). In terms of place of birth, the net migration was negative for people born in Catalonia (−7,861), but positive for people born in the rest of Spain (1,555) and abroad (1,135).
By counties, migrations with the rest of Spain were positive in 9 Catalan counties led by El Pla d'Urgell (49). In contrast, 33 counties and Aran had a negative net migration, including El Baix Llobregat (−888) and El Vallès Occidental (−871).
Idescat has introduced new tabulations for international migrations by country of birth, country of nationality and country of origin or destination. It has also added summary tables of total migrations by nationality and place of birth. All this information is available for 2023, 2022 and 2021.