Foreign population in Catalonia decreases by 2.4% in 2013

Madrid (ACN).- There were 7,553,650 people living in Catalonia in January 2013, meaning 0.23% less than the same time last year, according to the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE). Out of this population, 1,158,472 people, which is to say 15.34 % came from other countries, including European Union Member States. This foreign population has decreased by 28,307 people, representing a 2.38% decrease on 2012 figures. The sharpest drops, regarding both overall and foreign residents have been registered in the cities of Barcelona and Tarragona (southern Catalonia). The latest INE data also indicates that the average age of foreigners is well below that of Spanish natives. Consequently, the average age of all residents amounts to 41.50 years, while it reaches 43.19 for the Spanish-born population and drops to 32.19 for foreigners. The publication of the INE is based on the municipal census conducted each year in January and analysed throughout the year to post the final results the following January.

The 0.23% general decrease in the number of residents in Catalonia was the result of different trends in the capital cities of the four provinces. The highest decrease was registered in Barcelona city.

Sharpest drop in the number of residents for Barcelona City and Tarragona

In Barcelona, the population decreased by 0.56%, from 1,620,943 residents in 2012 to 1,611,822 in 2013. These figures only account for people living within Barcelona’s municipality, which is a small territory within greater Barcelona. Overall, there are 4 million inhabitants in greater Barcelona.

Tarragona (southern Catalonia) registered 133,545 residents in 2013, meaning a decrease by 0.3% and 409 people. In Girona (northern Catalonia), which counted 97,292 residents in January 2013, the population was reduced by only 0.10 %, meaning 94 people. In Lleida (Central Catalonia), where 139, 809 people lived in 2013, the population only decreased by less than 0.018 %, meaning 25 people.

13.93% of foreigners in Barcelona Province, a decrease by 2.53%

The number of foreigners living in the Province of Barcelona decreased from 792,071 to 771,990 people. Foreigners represented 14.27% of the total population in January 2012 while the percentage fell to 13.93 % in 2013. This amounts to a decrease by 20,081 people, a 2.53% drop.

17.81% of foreigners in Tarragona Province, a decrease by 3.53%

Finally, in Tarragona Province (where the Costa Daurada is located) the foreign population dropped from 149,587 people to 144,312 people, In 2012, they accounted for 18.37% of all residents while the number fell to 17.81% in 2013. This represents a decrease by 5,275 people and 3.53%.

21.14% of foreigners in Girona Province, a decrease by 1.25 %

In 2012, there were 163,068 foreigners living in the Province of Girona (north-eastern Catalonia, where the Costa Brava is located). They accounted for 21.41% of the total number of residents while the percentage fell to 21.14% in 2013. This represents a decrease by 2,043 people and 1.25 %.

18.40% of foreigners in Lleida Province, a decrease by 1.10 %

In the Province of Lleida (western Catalonia), the number of foreign residents decreased from 82,053 to 81,145 people. Foreigners represented 18.52% of the overall population in 2012 against 18.40% in 2013. This amounts to a decrease by 908 people and 1.10%.

Considerably lower average age for the foreign population

In the whole of Catalonia, the average age of the foreign population is well below the overallaverage age. While the overall Catalan population has an average age of 41.50 years (40.13 for men and 42.85 for women), for foreigners, it drops to 32.19 years (32.33 for men and 32.02 for women), almost 10 years younger.