Catalonia is an autonomous community that is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Spain. Four provinces make up Catalonia: Barcelona, Lleida, Girona and Tarragona. The total population of the region is 7,522,596 and is home to about 16% of Spain’s total population.
The capital of Catalonia is Barcelona, which is also the largest city by population and the second most populated in Spain. It is also one of the most populated urban areas in the European Union. Barcelona has a population of over 1.6 million people.
The top five most populous cities in Catalonia have a population of at least 200,000. The top ten cities have a population of at least 100,000. About 15% of the total population is of a non-Spanish nationality.
The region saw significant growth between 1900 and 1970, with its population surging from 1.9 million to over 5.1 million. This is primarily attributed to the demographic boom of the 1960s and 1970s. A wave of immigrants made their way to Catalonia during the 1990s and 2000s, further boosting the population. Many immigrants that now reside in Catalonia came from Africa and Latin America, while smaller populations of immigrants came from Asia and Eastern Europe.
Throughout its history, most of the Catalan population has been of the Christian faith, especially Catholicism. However, since the 1980s, more religions have emerged throughout the region. Religions that are observed throughout Catalonia include Buddhism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Atheism and other religions. Behind Catholicism, which is practiced by over 52% of people in Catalonia, Atheism is most practiced.
Spanish is the most popular language spoken in Catalonia, with over 46% of residents speaking this language. Over 37% of residents speak Catalan. Approximately 12% of the population use both languages equally.
The population of Catalonia has grown throughout its history, surpassing 2 million in 1910 before passing 3 million just 50 years later. The population again rose to over 5 million by the 1970s. The region saw significant population growth between 2000 and 2010, with a total increase of nearly 21%. However, estimates show that the population between 2010 and 2017 has dropped by 0.3%. Given the past population growth trends, however, this is not expected to continue and while Catalonia may not see the substantial and rapid growth it has in the past, continued growth at a slower rate is expected.